KY State vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY 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 KY State based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 2,020 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Kentucky 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: Kentucky State University 10:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

KY State vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State 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 Kentucky State University than WSSU ($9,397 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 24.4% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($8,686 vs. $11,484).
• Kentucky State University is 53.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $3,261 more per year; $9,387.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.9% higher at WSSU than at Kentucky State University (about $3,124 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky State University than at Winston Salem State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky State University students is 2.8% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($10,340 vs. $10,057).

KY State vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State 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 KY State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Winston Salem State University (930) is 10 points higher than at KY State (920).
• Incoming KY State 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: Kentucky State University 820/1010; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSSU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

KY State vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State 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 Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $31,000), 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 KY State graduates ($25,663 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($265 vs. $299).
• More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 24%)

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.