FSW vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, FL with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida SouthWestern State College is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (14,301 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida SouthWestern State College is located in Fort Myers, FL (Large Suburban setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Florida SouthWestern 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: Florida SouthWestern State College 27:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

FSW vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FSW 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 Florida SouthWestern State College than WSSU ($8,356 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida SouthWestern State College are 2.6% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($11,185 vs. $11,484).
• Winston Salem State University is 80.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FSW (about $2,725 more per year; $6,126.00 vs. $3,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at WSSU than at Florida SouthWestern State College (about $3,803 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $12,979.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Florida SouthWestern State College (91% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 69.4% larger than aid received by Florida SouthWestern State College students ($10,057 vs. $5,938).

FSW vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FSW 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 FSW.

• Florida SouthWestern 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: FSW - Open admission; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FSW students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at WSSU (3.01).

FSW vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FSW 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).

• Graduates from Florida SouthWestern State College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida SouthWestern State College graduates have a $16,663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($9,000 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, FSW graduates have an estimated $172 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($93 vs. $265).
• More FSW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.