Wake Forest University MBA - Rankings, Tuition, GMAT, ROI

Earn your MBA from one of the nation’s leading universities—on your schedule, from virtually anywhere. Our 100% online MBA empowers working professionals to become purpose-driven leaders who are ready to drive change, solve complex challenges, and make an impact in a global economy.

Make Connections that Matter: At Wake Forest, an MBA is about more than a degree—it’s about a community. Join our esteemed worldwide network of students, faculty, and over 80,000 alumni.

Gain In-Demand Skills: The online MBA program bridges strategy, finance, operations, marketing, management, and IT, with a pool of electives that lets you customize your degree to fit your career plans.

With an online MBA from Wake Forest University, you’ll gain the leadership, analytical, and technical expertise you can use to accelerate your career growth. You could position yourself for a promotion, increased compensation, and greater responsibilities—even while still in the program.

Enjoy 100% Online Flexibility
Study on your time while balancing your career and life responsibilities. Earn a respected degree from anywhere—no relocation required.

Make Your MBA Fit Your Life
Choose from 3 convenient start dates per year and begin when it fits your schedule, goals, and needs. Complete your MBA in just over 2 years with short, 7-week semesters.

Join the Wake Forest Community
Become part of an esteemed, interconnected global network of alumni. Grow your connections, enhance your career outlook, and make lasting relationships.

Awards

#28 In the U.S.
Earn your MBA at a school that’s been ranked in the top 30 for 25 years in a row.

#24 Best Value
Enjoy the highest academic quality, made affordable for working adults.

Master the Skills that Employers Rank Highest

Driven by market needs, the Wake Forest MBA helps you gain the expertise that matters most. Become a well-rounded leader who can make analytical decisions, drive innovation, and inspire progress and growth. The courses deliver a powerful blend of in-demand skills:

PRACTICAL
technology, business analytics, project management, operations, marketing, finance/economics

SOFT SKILLS
strategic-thinking, communication, teamwork, resilience, problem-solving, interpersonal

LEADERSHIP
managing strategy and innovation, decision-making, motivation and influence, ethics, globalism, inspiring and managing talent

Concentrations

Choose an optional concentration to develop specialized expertise in one of three high-demand areas. You can also pick electives from across the concentrations to build a plan of study that targets your individual goals.

Business Analytics
Gain the technical, problem-solving, communication, and managerial expertise to identify data-driven strategies, solve complex challenges, uncover emerging opportunities, and expand your impact. Learn the differences between an MBA with a concentration in business analytics and a master’s in business analytics (MSBA).

Finance
Develop the advanced skills and knowledge to make complicated financial decisions, analyze investments, manage risk, and maximize shareholder value. Learn more about the finance concentration.

Strategy and Leadership
Build the management, strategic decision-making, negotiation, and change management skills to take on top leadership roles with broad scope and responsibility. Learn more about the strategy and leadership concentration.

Learn From Expert, Market-Connected MBA Faculty

Wake Forest online MBA faculty members are dedicated teacher-scholars who understand what it takes to succeed in the business world.

Focused on Applicable Skills
Faculty infuse real-world scenarios and practical learning applications to deliver dynamic, engaging courses with actionable outcomes.

Experienced in the Field
As professors of practice, our faculty have led prominent companies, started their own successful businesses, and consulted for leading organizations around the world.

Committed to Excellence
Our professors are at the center of Wake Forest University’s commitment to teaching excellence. They are active in publishing and research, keeping you at the forefront of industry trends and developments.

Admissions Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Preference given to candidates with at least two years of postgraduate work experience prior to the program start date (exceptions made for those with nontraditional experience)
Full-time employment (candidates not employed full time may receive approval)

Program Length: Just over 2 years

Tuition: $69,975
Total Program Credits: 45

Core MBA Course Credits: 36

Diverse Teams
Purpose and Ethics in Business
Financial Management
Information Technology Management
Behavior and Leadership in Organizations
Financial Accounting
Business Analytics I
Business Analytics II
Managerial Accounting
Introduction to Strategy
Business Law
Managerial Economics
Global Strategic Management
Marketing Management
Operations Management

Concentration or Elective Credits: 9

Choose a concentration or select electives from any of the following areas to build a plan of study that targets your individual goals.

Business Analytics

Data Management
Analytics Software Technology
Visual Analytics and Influencing

Finance

Financial Modeling and Forecasting
Advanced Financial Management
Tactical Asset Allocation and Portfolio Management

Strategy and Leadership

The Influential Leader
Contemporary Issues in Leadership
Mastering Strategy Execution

Graduate Outcomes

According to a global survey by the GMAC:

2 out of 3 MBA graduates say they earned more promotions than their peers without an MBA.⁴
87% of graduate business school alumni gained skills that advanced their career.⁵

What Are the Types of Federal and Private Funding for a Wake Forest MBA?

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are guaranteed government loans available to all U.S. citizens and legal residents. A completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is required to determine eligibility. See studentaid.ed.gov for additional information, including current interest rates and origination fees.

Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans

Graduate and professional students have an additional, affordable option for funding their education with the Graduate PLUS Loan, which is guaranteed by the federal government and has a fixed interest rate. An eligible student can borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid received. A completed FAFSA is required to determine eligibility. See studentaid.gov for information.

Private Educational Loans

Private loans are another form of financial assistance for your business master’s degree. It is usually advantageous for students to pursue Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans before seeking private loans. Visit www.elmselect.com to view the list of available lenders (if you wish to use another lender that is not on this list, you have the right to do so.)

Veterans Benefits

Wake Forest University is a partner in the Yellow Ribbon Program, sponsored by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligibility for veterans benefits is assessed by the VA. We advise students to visit the VA website or their local VA office to begin the process for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). This COE must be shared with the Financial Aid Office staff so funds can be requested on your behalf. For more information, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

FAQ

Is a GMAT Required?

You are likely eligible to apply without a GMAT or GRE score, if you meet the following two parameters:

Have 5+ years of full-time professional work experience
Earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher

All applicants must take either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). You may be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver based on years of work experience, advanced degree, undergraduate GPA, or other criteria. For consideration, request a waiver using the optional essay on the application, indicating reasons you feel you would be eligible.

Are Transfer Credits Accepted

The Wake Forest School of Business online MBA program is not eligible for transfer credits.

What are the Student Demographics?

The average class size for the online MBA is 33 students, with an average age of 34.7 years. Classes are generally comprised of approximately 33% female and 67% male students.

Below are the demographics of a typical class:

Class size: 33
Female: 33% | Male: 67%
Age: 34.7
GPA: 3.03
Months of work experience: 124
Universities represented: 116
States represented: 28

*Source: Wake Forest Online MBA, Fall 2020 to Spring 2022.

How are the Classes Structured?

Each course is seven weeks, and you will take two to three courses each term (there are two terms per semester and seven semesters in total).

How Long Will It Take to Complete My MBA?

You can complete the online MBA program in just over two years. There are 18 total courses in the program for a total of 45 credits. Each course is seven weeks, and you will take two to three courses each term (there are two terms per semester and seven semesters in total).