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Financeat Wake Forest University

Graduates earn $85,944/yr in their first year — about 55.0% above the national Finance average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,156K; scenarios range from $952K to $1,249K depending on AI disruption.

Winston-Salem, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
78 STRONG
80
Optimistic
75
Pessimistic
Earnings
$85,944
1-year post-graduation
ROI
4.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$1,156K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
59% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wake Forest University

The exceptional outcomes for Wake Forest Finance graduates aren't accidental; they reflect a highly selective program with a formidable reputation in business education. Your rigorous foundation here emphasizes quantitative analysis and strategic decision-making, crucial skills sought by top-tier employers. The strong alumni network, particularly active in major financial hubs like Charlotte and New York, consistently opens doors to competitive roles. You'll find graduates excelling in demanding fields such as investment banking, corporate finance, and wealth management, often starting at firms that offer significant growth trajectories. While technological shifts are reshaping finance, the program’s focus on deep analytical skills and relationship building ensures you’re prepared for evolving demands. To maximize your potential, proactively engage with career services and the alumni network from day one, seeking out challenging internships that provide early exposure to these competitive environments.

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
$952K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple3.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,156K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple4.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,249K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score80/100
Earnings Multiple4.8x
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 Finance 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
Financial managers
+14.8% 10-yr growth · 74,600 openings/yr
$161,700/yr
High
3
Financial risk specialists
+6.5% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$106,000/yr
High
4
General and operations managers
+4.4% 10-yr growth · 308,700 openings/yr
$102,950/yr
Moderate
5
Personal financial advisors
+9.6% 10-yr growth · 24,100 openings/yr
$102,140/yr
High
6
Financial and investment analysts
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 25,100 openings/yr
$101,350/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 Finance

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

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$123K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
Georgetown University
DC · Private nonprofit
80
DW Score
$106K
1-yr earn
4.9x
ROI
Washington University in St Louis
MO · Private nonprofit
81
DW Score
$103K
1-yr earn
6.6x
ROI
University of Notre Dame
IN · Private nonprofit
79
DW Score
$99K
1-yr earn
4.5x
ROI
Top score
Brigham Young University
UT · Private nonprofit
90
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
44.7x
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 Finance offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Finance trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Finance at Wake Forest University

What does a 78/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Finance at Wake Forest University?

At 78/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Finance at Wake Forest University?

The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

What do students actually pay for Finance at Wake Forest University?

The 56% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $259,032. At a net cost of $114,984, the earnings multiple improves substantially.