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Business · Business Rank #34 of 242

Businessat Wake Forest University

Graduates earn $76,722/yr in their first year — about 59.0% above the national Business average. Base-case 10-year earnings $791K; scenarios range from $685K to $818K depending on AI disruption.

Winston-Salem, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
71 STRONG
71
Optimistic
67
Pessimistic
Earnings
$76,722
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$791K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wake Forest University

The strong financial outcomes for Wake Forest Business graduates reflect the program's rigorous curriculum and excellent placement power. This isn't just a general business degree; it's a launchpad, leveraging Wake Forest's selective admissions and strong academic reputation to cultivate highly sought-after talent. You'll benefit from a powerful alumni network and dedicated career services that actively funnel graduates into competitive roles within finance, consulting, and corporate leadership development programs, often extending beyond Winston-Salem to major hubs like Charlotte and Atlanta. The program emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, preparing you for management tracks rather than entry-level transactional roles. To maximize your potential, engage early with career services and actively pursue internships to build your professional network and practical experience.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$685K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score67/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$791K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$818K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score71/100
Earnings Multiple3.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Wake Forest University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Business graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Chief executives
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 22,200 openings/yr
$206,420/yr
High
2
Sales managers
+4.7% 10-yr growth · 49,000 openings/yr
$138,060/yr
Moderate
3
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
4
Industrial production managers
+1.9% 10-yr growth · 17,100 openings/yr
$121,440/yr
Moderate
5
Administrative services managers
+4.6% 10-yr growth · 23,200 openings/yr
$108,390/yr
Moderate
6
Construction managers
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 46,800 openings/yr
$106,980/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Business

How Wake Forest University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
The University of Texas at Austin
TX · Public
74
DW Score
$94K
1-yr earn
19.1x
ROI
New York University
NY · Private nonprofit
74
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
4.7x
ROI
Baylor University
TX · Private nonprofit
68
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
3.0x
ROI
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
71
DW Score
$75K
1-yr earn
3.4x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
68
DW Score
$73K
1-yr earn
2.7x
ROI
Also at Wake Forest University

Other top programs at Wake Forest University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wake Forest University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Business trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Business at Wake Forest University

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.