DSC vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

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

Dalton State College is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

DSC vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than WSSU ($5,625 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 9.3% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($10,419 vs. $11,484).
• Winston Salem State University is 83.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $2,790 more per year; $6,126.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.5% higher at WSSU than at Dalton State College (about $6,126 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Winston Salem State University (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 51.1% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($10,057 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC 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 DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DSC students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at WSSU (3.01).

DSC vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC 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 Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $10,776 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($14,887 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($153 vs. $265).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.