What Wake Forest University does

Wake Forest University is a private, independent, nonprofit, non-sectarian research university founded in 1834 and headquartered at 1834 Wake Forest Road in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It enrolls approximately 9,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across seven schools and colleges: the Undergraduate College, the Graduate School, the School of Business, the School of Divinity, the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and the School of Professional Studies. The university also operates a 200-acre Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem focused on biomedical and material sciences and information technology, and opened a new Charlotte Campus at The Pearl innovation district in 2025, which houses Charlotte's first four-year medical school and is anchored by a $1.5 billion mixed-use development with Siemens Healthineers, Atrium Health, and Wexford Science & Technology.

Revenue is generated across four primary streams: tuition and fees from residential and professional programs, federal and foundation grants for sponsored research, philanthropic contributions through a structured Giving Societies program (President's Club through Old Gold Society ranging from $1,000 to $50,000+), and auxiliary services including athletics, housing and dining, the Wake Forest bookstore, and the Graylyn International Conference Center. The university's go-to-market motion is a traditional higher education admissions model supplemented by athletic recruitment across its ACC sports programs. Marketing and community engagement are operated through a dedicated University Marketing and Communications function and an Office of Civic and Community Engagement that runs signature programs such as Wake 'N Shake ($3.5M+ lifetime cancer research fundraising since 2006), Hit the Bricks, Freedom School, Project Pumpkin, and Call to Conversation.

Technology infrastructure consists of standard educational platforms (Canvas learning management system, Google Workspace for Education) and proprietary research facilities including the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and a NeuroArts Lab. The institution is led by incoming 15th President Peter Rodriguez (effective July 1, 2026) and has recently restructured student health services into Deacon Health, which received a three-year AAAHC accreditation in January 2026. Foreign academic presence includes residential houses in London, Vienna, and Venice supporting the 72%+ study abroad participation rate.

Name

Wake Forest University

Legal name

Wake Forest University

Website

https://wfu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1834

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wake Forest University is a private nonprofit research university founded in 1834, enrolling roughly 9,000 students across seven schools in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, NC, with revenue from tuition, sponsored research, philanthropy, and auxiliary services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Land-Grant–Like/Extension-Oriented Private Research Universities (Applied Outreach) (EDAHABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Liberal arts education
• Graduate degree programs
• Medical education
• Professional studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Wake Forest generates primary revenue through tuition and fees from undergraduate and graduate programs across its seven schools and colleges, including the Undergraduate College, Graduate School, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, School of Medicine, and School of Professional Studies.
2. Grants and Sponsored Research: The university receives significant funding through federal grants (NIH, NSF, DOE), foundation grants (Lilly Endowment, Kern Family Foundation, Spencer Foundation), and corporate partnerships for research initiatives.
3. Philanthropy and Donations: Wake Forest receives charitable contributions through its annual fund, major gifts program, and capital campaigns. The Giving Societies program (Old Gold Society $50,000+, Society of 1834 $25,000-$49,999, Founders Circle $10,000-$24,999, Pro Humanitate Society $5,000-$9,999, Silver Society $2,500-$4,999, President's Club $1,000-$2,499) structures major donor engagement.
4. Auxiliary Services: Revenue from athletics events, conference services (Graylyn International Conference Center), housing and dining services, and the Wake Forest bookstore.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Wake Forest University is a private, independent, nonprofit research university delivering undergraduate, graduate, and professional education across seven schools and colleges (Undergraduate College, Graduate School, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, School of Medicine, and School of Professional Studies). The university complements academic instruction with student wellness services, community engagement programs, athletics, and study abroad opportunities across U.S. and international residential locations.

Product overview

Wake Forest University is a private liberal arts university offering undergraduate and graduate education across multiple colleges and schools (Undergraduate College, Graduate School, Business, Divinity, Law, Medicine, and Professional Studies). The university's product portfolio centers on academic degree programs and a robust ecosystem of student life, community engagement, and wellness services. Key named programs include Wake 'N Shake (cancer research dance marathon), Hit the Bricks (cancer fundraising event), Project Pumpkin (children's fall festival), DESK (elementary school outreach), Freedom School (summer literacy program), Kids' Cooking Coalition (nutrition education), Call to Conversation (dialogue facilitation), Deacon Health (student health services), and the Wake Safe mobile app (campus safety). The university also operates Public Health AmeriCorps for community service. These programs collectively support the university's Pro Humanitate (For Humanity) motto and mission of community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Call to Conversation: Signature program created to spark more meaningful conversation through intimate dinner settings, launched nationally in 2018.
• Deacon Health
• Wake 'N Shake

Products and services

• Undergraduate College Programs Residential liberal arts undergraduate degree programs with majors and minors across academic disciplines, delivered primarily on the Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem.
• Graduate School Programs Master's and doctoral degree programs for graduate students across academic disciplines.
• School of Business Programs Business degree programs including the MBA and undergraduate business majors, plus executive and professional education offerings.
• School of Divinity Programs Theological and divinity degree programs including the MDiv and MA degrees for students preparing for ministry and related careers.
• School of Law Programs Juris Doctor and other legal degree programs with a focus on character-based leadership in legal education.
• School of Medicine Programs Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree program, with a new four-year medical school launched at The Pearl innovation district in Charlotte in 2025 in partnership with Atrium Health.
• School of Professional Studies Online and hybrid continuing education programs and certificates for working professionals and adult learners.
• Study Abroad Programs Academic study abroad programs hosted through residential houses in London (UK), Vienna (Austria), and Venice (Italy), with 72%+ undergraduate participation.
• Small Business Wealth Advisor Certificate University-accredited certificate program preparing financial advisors and small business owners in wealth advisory practices, developed with CeriFi.
• Wake 'N Shake Dance Marathon Annual 12-hour dance marathon benefiting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, the largest student-run philanthropy at Wake Forest, with over $3.5 million raised lifetime.
• Hit The Bricks Annual campus-wide cancer research fundraising event where teams run and walk laps around the Quad to benefit the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.
• Project Pumpkin Annual fall festival for approximately 400 children from local schools, featuring trick-or-treating, entertainment, and educational activities.
• DESK (Discovering Education through Student Knowledge) Educational outreach program that brings local elementary school children to campus each spring to build inspiring, colorful study spaces, partnering with Old Town Elementary, Cook Literacy Model School, Kimberley Park Elementary, and North Hills Elementary.
• Freedom School Six-week summer literacy program serving nearly 70 students in grades K through 5 in Forsyth County, part of the Children's Defense Fund national initiative.
• Kids' Cooking Coalition Six-week nutrition education program operating at four sites throughout Winston-Salem, pairing Wake Forest student volunteers with local children to teach cooking and healthy eating habits.
• Call to Conversation (C2C) Signature program facilitating intimate conversation dinners led by moderators using a Reveal, Connect, and Empower model; facilitated 826 conversations with 5,092 participants in 190 cities from 2017-2021.
• Deacon Health On-campus primary care clinic serving Wake Forest undergraduate and graduate students, offering primary care, treatment of acute illnesses and minor injuries, STI screening and treatment, immunizations, pharmacy, and laboratory services; AAAHC-accredited.
• Wake Safe App Mobile safety application connecting students and the campus community with University Police, providing emergency contacts, friend walks, safety escorts, and a safety toolbox.
• Public Health AmeriCorps Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 97%+ of 2024 graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arnold & Winnie Palmer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Partnership to promote leadership and character development through youth golf programs worldwide, with Corey Crossan leading the initiative inspired by Arnold Palmer's values.
• SouthminsterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026Nation's first Creative Aging on Prescription study partnering with Wake Forest NeuroArts Lab and Lifetime Arts for arts-based wellness programs.
• CeriFiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Launch of Small Business Wealth Advisor certificate program - first university-accredited curriculum preparing financial advisors to serve small business owners.
• Hyloris PharmaceuticalsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Collaboration to develop therapy for rare skin disorder, combining Wake Forest research capabilities with pharmaceutical development expertise.
• Siemens HealthineerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Siemens Healthineers anchors The Pearl innovation district in Charlotte with a $141 million Experience Center USA facility, marking the city's first true innovation district combining office, lab, retail, residential, and academic spaces with Wake Forest University's medical school.
• Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil ChangeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership raising $12,745 for childhood cancer research at annual Gold Rush Childhood Cancer Game supporting Atrium Health Levine Children's Brenner Children's Hospital.
• University of VirginiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025UVA's Civic Cornerstone Fellowship received $800,000 grant from Wake Forest's Educating Character Initiative.
• Wexford Science & TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for The Pearl innovation district, a $1.5 billion mixed-use development in Charlotte featuring Wake Forest's four-year medical school.
• Atrium HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner collaborating on The Pearl innovation district development and operating the broader health network anchored by Wake Forest medical school.
• Children's Defense FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership hosting Freedom School literacy programs, with Wake Forest hosting local program serving nearly 70 students grades K-5.
• 88.5 WFDDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPR affiliate broadcast service of Wake Forest University, the only public radio station in the Piedmont Triad.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• University of Virginia: Public flagship research university with comparable character education programming; received $800K grant from Wake Forest's Educating Character Initiative. Comparable in research scope but larger scale and public funding model make it an indirect rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Boston College: Private research university with comparable size, Jesuit-rooted values emphasis, and similar mix of undergraduate college plus graduate and professional schools. Competes for character-and-leadership-oriented applicants willing to pay a tuition premium.
• Vanderbilt University: Private research university with comparable student-faculty ratio, residential undergraduate college, and medical center anchor. Competes for similar national applicant pool and shares the need-based aid commitment structure.
• Rice University: Private research university with comparable size and selectivity, where incoming Wake Forest President Peter Rodriguez currently serves as Business School Dean. Direct peer in the competitive set for top-tier private research university applicants.
• Emory University: Private research university with similar enrollment scale (~9,000 students), strong professional schools (Medicine, Law, Business, Divinity), and comparable tuition-driven financial model. Direct competitor for graduate and professional students in the Southeast.
• Tufts University: Private research university with similar enrollment scale (~9,000 students), undergraduate college plus professional schools, and comparable character-driven institutional mission. Competes for national liberal arts-oriented applicants seeking professional school pathways.
• Duke University: Private research university in North Carolina with comparable size, ACC athletics membership, and selective admissions profile. Directly competes for the same regional applicant pool and corporate/research partnerships in the Research Triangle-Winston-Salem corridor.
• University of Notre Dame: Private research university with strong character and leadership development mission, similar residential undergraduate culture, and parallel athletics profile (ACC). Direct competitor for character-driven, faith-adjacent prospective students.

Regional players

• Furman University: Smaller private liberal arts university in South Carolina with similar residential character and pre-professional advising emphasis. Competes for overlapping Southeast regional applicant pool, but at smaller scale and lower price point.
• Elon University: Private North Carolina university with comparable undergraduate teaching focus, study abroad emphasis, and regional admissions profile. Competes for the same North Carolina-resident and Southeast-feeder applicant market at a lower tuition tier.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WakeForest1834
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WForestUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/200102664457
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/school
• Instagraminstagram.com/wfuniversity
• TikToktiktok.com/@wfuniversity?

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wake Forest University