Welcome to the Forest!

Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private university located in Winston-Salem, N.C., with nearly 9,000 students. The undergraduate population of more than 5,400 hails from 47 states and more than 48 foreign countries.

Ours is a vibrant and diverse academic community in which students pursue learning in one or more of the 45 majors, 60 minors and additional programs we offer within our six colleges and schools.

In September 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked Wake Forest as one of the top 30 National Universities for the 27th consecutive year. In addition to the overall standing of 29th place, Wake Forest stands at 23rd for Best Value.

More facts at a glance about Wake Forest University are provided below.

Reynolda Hall in the Fall

The Basics

  • Founded: 1834 (Wake Forest, North Carolina)
  • Relocated: 1956 (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
  • School Colors: Old Gold, Black
  • Type: Private
  • Motto: Pro Humanitate (For Humanity)
  • Campus Size: 340 acres
Wake Forest students roll the quad

Who We Are

  • 8,963: Student population (5,447 undergraduate, 3,516 graduate)
  • 47: States represented (undergraduate)
  • 48: Foreign countries represented (undergraduate)
  • 33%: Ethnic diversity (undergraduate)
  • 6,667: Full-time faculty and staff
Students in a computer science class

How We Learn

WF Ironworks in the Fall

How We Rank

#29

National Rank

U.S. News & World Report (Released 2022)

#21

Undergrad Teaching

U.S. News & World Report (Released 2022)

#23

Best Value

U.S. News & World Report (Released 2022)

Learn more about our rankings »

Wake Forest football team

How We Play

  • Division: NCAA Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision)
  • Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
  • Nickname: Demon Deacons
  • Mascot: Demon Deacon
  • 18: Varsity teams (9 men’s, 9 women’s)
  • 9: NCAA Championships
  • 96%: Student-athlete graduation rate as measured by the NCAA
Wake Forest Commencement

Who We Become

  • 82,229: Living degree recipients
  • 50: U.S. states in which they live
  • 38%: Portion who live in North Carolina
  • 103: Foreign countries in which they live
  • Notable Alumni: Richard Burr (‘78): Tim Duncan (’97); Robert Ehrlich (JD ’82); Charlie Ergen (MBA ’76); Emily Giffin (‘94); Kay Hagan (JD ‘78); Thomas Marshburn (MD ’89); Arnold Palmer (‘51); Chris Paul (’07)
New Wake Forest first year students help build a house with Habitat for Humanity as part of their pre-orientation volunteer Service with the SPARC program.

Pro Humanitate

Like many other colleges and universities, we place our institutional motto in our official seal. But we don’t leave it there. We let it roam. We let its Deac flag fly.

In emphasizing service to mankind, we prove that a concept can remain relevant even if its language has been out of common use for centuries.

More on Pro Humanitate »

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