ESU vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Emporia State University in Emporia, KS 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 ESU based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emporia State University is located in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Emporia 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: Emporia State University 16:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

ESU vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ESU 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 ESU ($12,989 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 4.6% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($10,950 vs. $11,484).
• Emporia State University is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $980 more per year; $7,106.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at WSSU than at Emporia State University (about $1,363 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at Winston Salem State University (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 69% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($10,057 vs. $5,951).

ESU vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ESU 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 ESU .

• 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: ESU - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ESU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.9% at ESU vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

ESU vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ESU 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Emporia State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $6,244 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($19,419 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($200 vs. $265).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.