Alabama State vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 4,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Alabama State vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or WSSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winston Salem State University than Alabama State ($12,989 vs. $13,138).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 31.9% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($7,816 vs. $11,484).
• Alabama State University is 83.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $5,122 more per year; $11,248.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at Alabama State than at Winston Salem State University (about $2,794 more per year; $19,576.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Alabama State University (91% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($11,583 vs. $10,057).

Alabama State vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or WSSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WSSU and Alabama State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Winston Salem State University (930) is 70 points higher than at Alabama State (860).
• Incoming Alabama State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at WSSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Alabama State vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State and WSSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Winston Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Alabama State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $6,428 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($25,663 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($265 vs. $331).
• More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 20%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.