Paine College vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA 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 Paine College based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Paine 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: Paine College 11:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Paine College vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine 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 Winston Salem State University than Paine College ($12,989 vs. $15,935).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 34.6% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($7,512 vs. $11,484).
• Paine College is 138.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $8,470 more per year; $14,596.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at WSSU than at Paine College (about $2,186 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 20.8% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($12,145 vs. $10,057).

Paine College vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Winston Salem State University (930) is 50 points higher than at Paine College (880).
• Incoming Paine 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: Paine College 776/976; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Paine College vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine 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 Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $10,087 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($25,663 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($265 vs. $369).
• More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 15%)

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.