Livingstone College vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC 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 Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Livingstone College vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College than WSSU ($12,826 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 40.8% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($6,794 vs. $11,484).
• Livingstone College is 198.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $12,170 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Livingstone College than at Winston Salem State University (about $1,514 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Winston Salem State University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 54% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($15,485 vs. $10,057).

Livingstone College vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Winston Salem State University (930) is 50 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming Livingstone College 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: Livingstone College 800/960; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSSU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at Livingstone College vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Livingstone College vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone College 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 Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $16,337 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($25,663 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $169 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($265 vs. $434).
• More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 13%)

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.