Cal State East Bay vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University East Bay is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 4,782 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay 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 California State University East Bay than WSSU ($9,850 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 35.6% lower than at California State University East Bay ($11,484 vs. $17,831).
• California State University East Bay is 23.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $1,457 more per year; $7,583.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Cal State East Bay than at Winston Salem State University (about $3,401 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at California State University East Bay (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 23% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($12,369 vs. $10,057).

Cal State East Bay vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay or WSSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WSSU and Cal State East Bay.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Cal State East Bay students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• Cal State East Bay has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Cal State East Bay vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Cal State East Bay vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and WSSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University East Bay's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $9,331 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($16,332 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($168 vs. $265).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 33%)

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.