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Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Pro Humanitate (Latin)("For Humanity")

1834
Founded
Private research university
Type
5,471
Total Students
5,471
Undergrad
3,650
Graduate
$2.0B
Endowment
$65K
Tuition (In-State)
$65K
Tuition (Out-State)
$29K
Avg Net Price
22%
Acceptance Rate
91%
Graduation Rate
6-year
95%
Retention Rate
Doctoral Universities
Classification
President: Susan Wente

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University: For Humanity. A top-tier research university blending tradition with innovative spirit.

Nestled in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest University stands as a prestigious private research institution renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and its compelling motto, "Pro Humanitate" (For Humanity). With a vibrant student body of over 9,000, Wake Forest fosters an intimate yet expansive learning environment. Its highly selective admissions, with an acceptance rate of just 22%, underscore the quality and ambition of its incoming students, who join a community dedicated to impactful research and service.

The university's rich history traces back to 1834 when it was founded as the Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute. Initially located north of Raleigh, it evolved from a school where students and staff engaged in daily manual labor to the esteemed Wake Forest College, which later relocated to its iconic Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem in 1956. This journey saw the establishment of its Schools of Law in 1894 and Medicine in 1902, marking its growth into a comprehensive institution while upholding its commitment to academic freedom, a principle championed by early leaders like William L. Poteat.

Academically, Wake Forest boasts a robust offering of graduate and undergraduate programs across its professional schools, including Business, Law, Medicine, Divinity, and Arts and Sciences. Its academic rigor is reflected in the impressive accomplishments of its alumni and students, including numerous Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, and Fulbright scholars. Beyond the classroom, Wake Forest offers a dynamic student experience with over 250 clubs, active fraternities and sororities, and highly competitive NCAA Division I athletics as a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), home to the Demon Deacons. Students benefit from a supportive community that balances rigorous intellectual pursuit with spirited campus life and a global perspective through its international facilities.

Key Highlights

  • Endowment of $2.0 billion, supporting a vibrant academic environment.
  • Highly selective undergraduate admissions with an acceptance rate of 22%.
  • A total student population of 9,121, including 5,471 undergraduates.
  • Home to 18 Rhodes Scholars, 5 Marshall Scholars, 18 Truman Scholars, and 62 Fulbright recipients.
  • Founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), with athletic teams known as the Demon Deacons winning 11 NCAA team championships.
  • Ranked among the top 30 law schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Offers a unique commitment to service embodied by its motto: "Pro Humanitate" (For Humanity).

Timeline

1834
Established as Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute, opening on February 3rd.
1838
Renamed Wake Forest College; manual-labor system abandoned.
1862
Closed during the American Civil War due to loss of students and faculty.
1894
The School of Law was established.
1902
The School of Medicine was established.
1956
The university moved its main campus to Winston-Salem, establishing the Reynolda Campus.
1967
Renamed Wake Forest University (from Wake Forest College).
1986
Became nonsectarian, concluding its historical affiliation with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
1999
The first 24 students enrolled in the School of Divinity program.
2021
The School of Professional Studies was established, offering online master's programs and certificates.
🏛️
192 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

6 notable schools within Wake Forest University

🎭

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Offers 25 programs of graduate-level study, 11 certificates, including 11 Ph.D. areas, 30 master's degrees, and nine joint degree programs.

💼

School of Business

Founded in 1969, it houses both graduate and undergraduate programs, offering a BS degree in four majors and seven master's programs including MBA and Accountancy.

✝️

School of Divinity

Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, it offers a Master of Divinity degree, dual-degree programs, and a certificate in Spirituality and Health, guided by its mission as 'Christian by tradition, Baptist in heritage, and ecumenical in outlook'.

⚖️

School of Law

Established in 1894, this ABA-accredited school is consistently ranked among the top 30 law schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report, offering JD, LLM, SJD, and joint degree programs.

🏥

School of Medicine

Founded in 1902, it educates about 1,800 students and fellows annually, clinically affiliated with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and ranks among the top third of American medical schools in NIH funding.

🏫

School of Professional Studies

Established in 2021, it offers Master's programs, graduate certificates, and non-credit programs, primarily delivered virtually online.

Leadership

President
Nell Jessup Newton (Interim)
Provost

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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