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Business at Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Commerce, General
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
71
Optimistic
71
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,722/yr (59% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)
ROI 3.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #34 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $818K $791K $685K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.1x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 71 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$259,032
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$114,984
56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,899
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$107,296
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Wake Forest University Business graduates command $76,722/yr out of the gate, well above the $48,211 national median. That 59% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 3.1x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 46% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,899 in median debt clears quickly against $76,722 in annual earnings.

Ranked #34 out of 242 programs, Wake Forest University's Business program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $76,722 to $107,296 shows 40% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Wake Forest University

Admission to Wake Forest University is competitive, with 22% of applicants accepted, with a mid-sized student body of 5,471 in Winston-Salem, NC. After financial aid, the average student pays $114,984 over four years — 56% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Wake Forest University →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 242 schools offering Business →

Business at Other Schools

The University of Texas at Austin ($94,041) New York University ($77,828) Baylor University ($74,886) Northeastern University ($74,868) University of Notre Dame ($73,170) University of Redlands ($72,664) Indiana University-Bloomington ($71,100) Regis University ($66,739)

Other Majors at Wake Forest University

Finance and Financial Management Services ($85,944) Computer Science ($75,625) Economics ($56,416) Political Science and Government ($47,161) Sociology ($46,257) Communication and Media Studies ($42,055) Psychology, General ($34,823) English Language and Literature, General ($31,449)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Business trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Wake Forest University's Business program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Wake Forest University's Business graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Business to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Business careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does Wake Forest University rank so high for Business?
The #34 ranking out of 242 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
How affordable is Business at Wake Forest University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,032, but the average net cost is $114,984 — a 56% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →