Wake Forest to offer free tuition for in-state families making less than $200,000

JOHN DEEM Staff Writer

Beginning with the 2026 fall semester, Wake Forest University students from North Carolina whose families earn less than $200,000 annually will pay no tuition, the school announced Wednesday.

For in-state students with family incomes less than $100,000, financial aid also will cover the costs of living on campus, the university said.

Tuition, housing, food, books and other fees total $94,600 for the current academic year.

Beginning next school year, North Carolina students whose families make between $200,000 and $300,000 also can have half their Wake Forest tuition covered, the university announced.

With the North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University program, the Winston-Salem-based private school joins several higher-education institutions, including Duk