Wake Forest University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Wake Forest University charges a net price of $28,719/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $114,876. Graduates earn a median $78,158 ten years after entry, $29,798/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.9 years — a 20-year net return of $481,084, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Wake Forest University's 3.9-year payback ranks #283 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 78% of them, and #7 of 115 in North Carolina.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $28,719/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $114,876 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $78,158 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $29,798/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $481,084 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Wake Forest University's own numbers. Net price $28,719 × 4 years = $114,876 total. Median earnings $78,158 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $29,798 a year of premium. $114,876 ÷ $29,798 = 3.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $481,084. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Wake Forest University students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 28% of the $78,158 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Wake Forest University students graduate?
89% finish their degree. Spread the $114,876 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $129,074 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Wake Forest University expensive compared with other North Carolina colleges?
Its $28,719 net price runs $17,873 above the $10,846 median across the 115 North Carolina colleges we profile, or $71,492 more across the full degree.