Costs and Aid | Accepted Students | Wake Forest University

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Investing in yourself and your future.

We are committed to making education accessible by meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for every admitted domestic student.

Affording a Wake Forest Education

As a newly admitted student, you’ll probably have some questions about where to start or what to do next. When you do, we’ll be here for you. We’ve provided several places to start below, but, if you can’t find what you’re looking for or still have questions, visit the Student Financial Aid website for helpful resources, or reach out to us at finaid@wfu.edu.

How much does Wake Forest cost?

What should I be thinking about now?

Tips for aid recipients

How much does Wake Forest cost?

The costs shown below are for the 2025-26 academic year. Estimated costs for the 2026-27 academic year will be shared in early spring.

$94,600

Estimated cost of attendance for the 2025-26 academic year

which includes all of this

$70,332

Tuition & Fees

$12,054

Housing

$7,000

Food

$1,718

Books & Supplies

$3,496

Other Expenses*

How are these costs determined?

The costs shown here are estimated expenses based on a student living on or off campus for the 2025-26 academic year. The Board of Trustees is expected to publish 2026-27 costs in late April, at which time this page will be updated.

For more information on costs, please visit the Cost of Attendance page on the student financial aid website.

* Other Expenses

Additional fees and expenses that may affect your overall cost of attendance include:

Personal expenses
Transportation
Fed Direct Loan Avg Fee
New Student Orientation Fee

Net Price Calculator

Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your net cost (estimated costs, minus grants and scholarships).

Use the Net Price Calculator

What should I be thinking about now?

Great question! Wake Forest University executive director of student financial aid Craig Slaughter is here to help navigate the often complex world of scholarships, loans and family contributions and how they all come together.

Make sure you’re familiar with these, too.

Almost half of all undergraduate students at Wake Forest receive financial assistance in the form of loans, grants, or both. We’re here to help you explore your options.

Financial Wellbeing

Financial Wellbeing is our ability to manage what we have in a responsible manner—both in the short-term and the long—and achieve peace of mind and a piece of our dreams.

Learn more about financial wellbeing

Student Financial Services

Student Financial Services (SFS) provides families with information and answers to tuition insurance, student account refunds, Deacon OneCard, and Workday Student Financials.

Go to Student Financial Services

Tips for aid recipients

Log into your Financial Aid Portal.

This is available once you’re enrolled at WFU.

Make sure your aid is all set (accept/decline loans and work-study, complete loan promissory note and entrance counseling, submit work-study placement survey, complete federal verification requirements).

Check your WFU email regularly.

We’ll be sending you important information to ensure maximum aid eligibility and timely receipt of funds. Make sure you read any email sent from finaid@wfu.edu and help us to help you by responding without delay.

Apply for Federal Work-Study.

It’s not like other aid programs. Federal Work-Study provides a real paycheck to help with daily expenses during the year. It’s not available to pay up-front charges like tuition, housing, and meal plans. So, your student account statement will not include estimated Federal Work-Study earnings.

Spend wisely.

Aid eligibility is based on “modest but adequate” standard estimates of expenses. Don’t overspend on a meal plan that you might not fully need. Consider used or rental textbooks. Access free entertainment. Use free or low-cost transportation. Get local discounts.

What if I still have questions?

Additional financial resources are provided below. However, if you still have questions, or aren’t sure where to start, please feel free to reach out to your regional dean, who will be more than happy to guide you in the right direction.