Get matched with vetted scholarships and enter our
Please select whichever best describes you for the upcoming 2024 - 2025 academic year.
I’m a high school student I’m a college or graduate student
100% Free. No Spam.
    Start typing in the text field above
    W

    Winston-Salem State University

    wssu.edu Black Arrow Icon
    Advertiser disclosure

    Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

    Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

    Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.

    Overview

    Winston-Salem State University is a public 4-year college located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There are currently 4,449 undergraduates at Winston-Salem State and the school’s acceptance rate is 73%. The tuition at Winston-Salem State is $6,276 for in-state students and $16,932 for out-of-state.

    Winston-Salem State University
    11 City
    Urban institutions typically offer more options when it comes to internships, jobs, community service, research positions, social lives, and more. However, some may find the city distracting, and the cost of living is typically higher.

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 4,449

    Pell Grant 62%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 16%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 12%

    Percent Male / Female 24% / 76%

    Ethnic Diversity at Winston-Salem State

    81% Black

    6% White

    4% Hispanic

    4% Multiracial

    2% Unknown

    1% Asian / Pacific Islander

    1% International / Non-Citizen

    Academics Snapshot

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 50%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    43%

    43% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Psychology

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Education

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot

    $22,412

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $18,450

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $14,618

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition
    $6,276
    Books & Supplies
    $1,690
    Room & Board
    $11,220
    Other
    $3,226

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $22,412

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Out-of-State
    Tuition
    $16,932
    Books & Supplies
    $1,690
    Room & Board
    $11,220
    Other
    $3,226

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $33,068

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Since Winston-Salem State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Winston-Salem State is $22,412 for in-state students in NC, and $33,068 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Winston-Salem State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Using State Grants at Winston-Salem State

    If you're a North Carolina resident with demonstrated financial need, be sure to look into state grants to help pay for Winston-Salem State. The state offers two major need-based grants: The NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students and the NC Scholarship. Both are reserved for needy students, and the former is reserved for those attending private schools. Unlike scholarships, these do not involve selection committees or essays. If you meet the requirements and the funds have not been exhausted, you will receive the money.

    Winston-Salem State University Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Winston-Salem State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Winston-Salem State University is 002986.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Pell Grants at Winston-Salem State University

    74% of students at Winston-Salem State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Winston-Salem State University.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Winston-Salem State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Winston-Salem State University Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Winston-Salem State or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions Snapshot

    73%

    Admission Rate

    17

    Average ACT

    923 is the median SAT score and 17 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Winston-Salem State. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Is Winston-Salem State test-optional?

    Winston-Salem State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Winston-Salem State University?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Winston-Salem State University receive between a 14 and a 19 on their ACT, or a 805 and a 1005 on their SAT.

    June
    30

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Winston-Salem State?

    Students must apply by June 30 to enroll at Winston-Salem State during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

    Student Outcomes Snapshot


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $45,344

    Median Debt $25,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $265

    Graduation Rate 50%

    What is the graduation rate at Winston-Salem State University?

    50% of students who start at Winston-Salem State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 8% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Winston-Salem State University go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Winston-Salem State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $45,344. This is $5,047 less than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Winston-Salem State take out in loans?

    Graduates of Winston-Salem State have to take out a median of $25,000 in federal student loans. This is $11,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    Get Started

    Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.

    3 reasons to join scholarships360

    • Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
    • Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
    • Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

    By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

    Join For Free