Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at Wake Forest

41.01%

Applicants - since 2015

-7.72%

Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate at Wake Forest over the past 10 years is 26.79%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 21.67%.

The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 36.08%, and the 2025 yield is 36.08%. Overall, the yield has increased by 9.66% from 2015 to 2025.

The number of Wake Forest applicants increased by 7.14% (1,248 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 41.01% overall.

Key Takeaways: Wake Forest Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 21.67%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that Wake Forest has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 36.08%. This rising yield trend demonstrates that Wake Forest is increasingly successful at converting admitted students into enrolled students. An increasing yield rate suggests stronger student preference for Wake Forest and indicates that the institution's admitted class quality and perceived value continue to improve.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

For the 2025 admission cycle, Wake Forest received approximately 18,727 applications, admitted 4,058 students, and enrolled 1,464 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that Wake Forest is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.

Acceptance Rate Changes

Wake Forest 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Wake Forest over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 26.79%, while the most recent rate stands at 21.67%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.

For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 21.67%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 28.33% and for women is 25.66%.

The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Wake Forest have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 29.39% 32.35% 27.14%
2016-17 30.34%
0.95%
34.79%
2.45%
27.21%
0.07%
2017-18 27.57%
-2.76%
29.58%
-5.21%
26.06%
-1.15%
2018-19 29.40%
1.82%
32.70%
3.12%
26.90%
0.84%
2019-20 29.60%
0.20%
30.51%
-2.20%
28.88%
1.98%
2020-21 31.98%
2.39%
32.91%
2.41%
31.29%
2.40%
2021-22 25.00%
-6.98%
24.00%
-8.91%
26.00%
-5.28%
2022-23 21.37%
-3.63%
20.88%
-3.12%
21.78%
-4.22%
2023-24 21.56%
0.19%
22.27%
1.39%
20.98%
-0.80%
2024-25 21.67%
0.11%
23.33%
1.07%
20.36%
-0.63%
Average 26.79% 28.33% 25.66%
Wake Forest University Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

Wake Forest has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 32.90% in 2015 to 36.08% in 2025, representing a 9.66% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 36.08%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.

The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Wake Forest from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 9.66% over this period.

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 32.90% 32.76% 33.02%
2016-17 30.74%
-2.16%
30.46%
-2.30%
30.98%
-2.04%
2017-18 37.43%
6.69%
36.93%
6.46%
37.86%
6.88%
2018-19 37.37%
-0.07%
38.63%
1.70%
36.21%
-1.65%
2019-20 36.59%
-0.78%
37.49%
-1.13%
35.84%
-0.37%
2020-21 37.96%
1.37%
37.43%
-0.06%
38.38%
2.54%
2021-22 37.00%
-0.96%
37.99%
0.56%
35.98%
-2.40%
2022-23 38.03%
1.03%
38.64%
0.65%
37.54%
1.56%
2023-24 36.76%
-1.28%
35.58%
-3.06%
37.78%
0.23%
2024-25 36.08%
-0.68%
34.97%
-0.61%
37.11%
-0.67%
Average 36.08% 36.09% 36.07%
Wake Forest University enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 14,603, the average number of admitted is 3,832, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 1,379.

The number of Wake Forest applicants increased by 7.14% (1,248 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 41.01% overall.

The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Wake Forest University from 2015 to 2025.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
2015-16 13,281 3,903 1,284
2016-17 14,006
5.46%
4,249
8.86%
1,306
1.71%
2017-18 13,071
-6.68%
3,604
-15.18%
1,349
3.29%
2018-19 12,937
-1.03%
3,803
5.52%
1,421
5.34%
2019-20 12,559
-2.92%
3,717
-2.26%
1,360
-4.29%
2020-21 11,959
-4.78%
3,825
2.91%
1,452
6.76%
2021-22 15,156
26.73%
3,789
-0.94%
1,402
-3.44%
2022-23 16,857
11.22%
3,602
-4.94%
1,370
-2.28%
2023-24 17,479
3.69%
3,768
4.61%
1,385
1.09%
2024-25 18,727
7.14%
4,058
7.70%
1,464
5.70%
Average 14,603 3,832 1,379
Wake Forest University - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares Wake Forest University' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
Wake Forest University21.56%21.67%0.51%
Duke University5.71%6.78%-15.78%
University of Notre Dame11.27%12.38%-8.97%
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus58.08%49.70%16.86%
University of Virginia-Main Campus16.81%16.86%-0.30%
Syracuse University45.92%41.69%10.15%

Ratings & Review

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