Jackson State University vs. WSSU

Deciding between Jackson State University and Winston Salem State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Jackson State University
Winston Salem State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Jackson State University Jackson, MS
  • WSSU Winston-Salem, NC
  • Setting
  • Jackson State University Midsize City
  • WSSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Jackson State University 6,326
  • WSSU 4,782
  • Type
  • Jackson State University Public 4 Year
  • WSSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Jackson State University #998
  • WSSU #940
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Jackson State University -
  • WSSU -
  • Status
  • Jackson State University Non-profit
  • WSSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Jackson State University
  • WSSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Jackson State University $8,965
  • WSSU $6,126
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Jackson State University $11,965
  • WSSU $16,782
  • Room & Board
  • Jackson State University $14,341
  • WSSU $11,484
  • Average Net Price
  • Jackson State University $23,450
  • WSSU $12,989
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University $8,386
  • WSSU $10,057
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University 89%
  • WSSU 91%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Jackson State University 15,487
  • WSSU 9,108
  • Admitted
  • Jackson State University 14,426
  • WSSU 7,128
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Jackson State University 93.1%
  • WSSU 78.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Jackson State University 6.6%
  • WSSU 13.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Jackson State University 950
  • WSSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Jackson State University 17
  • WSSU 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • Jackson State University 3.1
  • WSSU 3.01
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Jackson State University B
  • WSSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Jackson State University Extremely Easy
  • WSSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Jackson State University
  • WSSU
  • ACT Range
  • Jackson State University 15/20
  • WSSU 15/20
  • SAT Range
  • Jackson State University 820/1070
  • WSSU 830/1020
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Jackson State University Test optional
  • WSSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • WSSU Feb 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Jackson State University 14:1
  • WSSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Jackson State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • WSSU
    • Health Professions (50%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Jackson State University 40%
  • WSSU 41%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Jackson State University $32,800
  • WSSU $35,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Jackson State University 36%
  • WSSU 33%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Jackson State University $29,000
  • WSSU $25,663
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Jackson State University $299
  • WSSU $265
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Jackson State University 34%
  • WSSU 26%
  • % Women
  • Jackson State University 66%
  • WSSU 74%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Jackson State University Extremely Low
  • WSSU Low
  • HBCU
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • WSSU Yes
  • % White
  • Jackson State University 4%
  • WSSU 16%
  • % Asian
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • WSSU 1%
  • % Black
  • Jackson State University 92%
  • WSSU 72%
  • % Hispanic
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • WSSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • WSSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • WSSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Jackson State University 1%
  • WSSU 4%
  • % International
  • Jackson State University 2%
  • WSSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • WSSU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Jackson State University 26%
  • WSSU 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Jackson State University 72%
  • WSSU 24%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • WSSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Jackson State University No
  • WSSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • WSSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Jackson State University No
  • WSSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • WSSU No

Comparable Facts

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

Jackson State University is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (6,326 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Jackson State University is located in Jackson, MS (Midsize City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
  • Jackson 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: Jackson State University 14:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Jackson State University vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University 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 Jackson State University ($12,989 vs. $23,450).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 19.9% lower than at Jackson State University ($11,484 vs. $14,341).
  • Jackson State University is 46.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $2,839 more per year; $8,965.00 vs. $6,126.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 40.3% higher at WSSU than at Jackson State University (about $4,817 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $11,965.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Jackson State University (91% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 19.9% larger than aid received by Jackson State University students ($10,057 vs. $8,386).

Jackson State University vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jackson State University 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 Jackson State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Jackson State University (950) is 20 points higher than at WSSU (930).
  • Incoming Jackson State University 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: Jackson State University 820/1070; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 15/20; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jackson State University - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Jackson State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at WSSU (3.01).
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than WSSU (78.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at Jackson State University vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Jackson State University vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jackson State University 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 Jackson State University's (40%).
  • Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Jackson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $32,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $3,337 lower median loan debt than Jackson State University graduates ($25,663 vs. $29,000).
  • Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jackson State University graduates ($265 vs. $299).
  • More Jackson State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.