Wake Forest University’s School of Business finished at No. 18 in our 2025 ranking of the Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S.
In P&Q’s three methodological categories, Wake Forest finished highest in Career Outcomes, ranking 10th out of 104 ranked programs. It also finished 14th in Admission Standards.
The school reported an acceptance rate of 15.4% for its 2024 incoming class, which had an average ACT score of 33 and an average SAT score of 1460. Its 6-year graduation rate is 97%.
In terms of employment outcomes, Wake Forest grads had an internship rate of 98% for the Class of 2024 and 97% for Class of 2023. That is the percentage of graduates who had at least one business-specific internship before leaving the program.
Further, 97.5% of 2024 job-seeking graduates had found employment within three months of graduation, an improvement of 2023’s 96.1% employment rate. The average starting salary for 2024’s graduates was $86,993, and 79% of them reported receiving a signing bonus of an average $7,918.
2024’s top employers include Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Dimension Fund Advisors, Jeffries, JP Morgan, AlphaSights, UBS, Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Deloitte, and Goldman Sachs.
REAL-WORLD EDUCATION
The Wake Forest School of Business is built on the belief that business can be a force for good, shaping a better world through principled leadership and sound decision-making. Guided by the vision of helping businesses and organizations create a better world – one decision, one leader at a time – the school prepares students to navigate the complexities of the global business landscape with integrity, analytical rigor, and a commitment to positive impact.
It features a rigorous academic curriculum, engaged faculty, and strong industry connection. Majors include Accounting, Business Enterprise, Management, Finance, and Mathematical Business.
With an emphasis on critical thinking, leadership, and hands-on learning, Wake Forest ensures that graduates enter the workforce prepared to tackle real-world challenges. Through mentorship, experiential opportunities, and a strong network of business professionals, students gain the foundation to lead with purpose and conviction.
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMWORK
Team projects in the B-school emphasize cross-functional collaboration that mimic real business settings. For example, its senior project includes of a hands-on simulation where students “run” a company from initial R&D to sales, operations, marketing, and finance.
“It was a true culmination of our entire undergraduate curriculum and required team collaboration of ‘SMEs’ as we had teams of finance, business management, accounting, and mathematical business [students] similar to executive team makeups,” one alumni told us.
“The experience was unique in the fact that it truly simulated a business in that each group member was from each business program major,” another alumni said in regards to the senior project. “Everyone offered their expert opinions like departments in a company.”
This type of cross-functional collaboration is key to the business education at Wake Forest. By working across different disciplines, Wake Forest students get a taste of what the real business world is like.
STRONG CAREER ADVISING SUPPORT
One of the newest additions to the business program is the Pre-Wall Street Career Track. The program is essentially a comprehensive education for careers in investment banking, asset management, sales and trading, and private equity. Independent of their major study, the Pre-Wall Street Career Track includes targeted coursework, mentoring and coaching, experiential learning, and networking opportunities.
In addition to career-track programs, the Wake Forest faculty is dedicated to mentoring and supporting each student in discovering their career interests.
PROGRAM INNOVATION
The Wake Forest School of Business is dedicated to making business education more accessible and impactful for students from all backgrounds. It recently launched two innovative programs designed to expand access to business knowledge and career pathways.
The Bridge2Business program introduces students to career opportunities in business and related fields through a series of activities and workshops. Open to students from a variety of backgrounds, the program helps participants build a personal brand, set career goals, and connect with alumni and industry professionals. It also includes coaching, market treks, and access to internships, providing real-world exposure to the business world.
The WakeABLE program offers a week-long immersive experience just before the start of the fall semester, focusing on self-discovery, career exploration, and workplace diversity. Designed to help students understand the value of different backgrounds and perspectives in business, WakeABLE provides a foundational learning experience that sets the stage for personal and professional growth.
ALUMNI SAY
“Our senior capstone consisted of a simulator that combined all aspects of building a successful enterprise amongst competitors in an industry. It was my first exposure to balancing multiple business divisions (e.g., marketing, sales, tech). Helped me frame the current work I do at McKinsey & Company.”
“What distinguishes Wake are the professors who are extremely caring.”
“I’m far more prepared for the workforce than most of my friends due to the business school.”
“The classes I took in the Wake Forest University School of Business were the highlight of my time at WFU. They challenged me to think outside the box and to be able to effectively work with others to reach common goals. Their network and resources are unmatched. I highly recommend that this institution deserves to receive the highest honor.”
“The WFU faculty and staff are amazing! The professors are genuinely interested in your education and experience, the career coaches are the reason I was able to choose between multiple dream job offers, and the class registration was never stressful thanks to the amazing academic advisors!”
