Wake Forest vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

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

Wake Forest University is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Wake Forest vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest ($12,989 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 37.9% lower than at Wake Forest University ($11,484 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 1,004.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $61,516 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 303.1% higher at Wake Forest than at Winston Salem State University (about $50,860 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Wake Forest University (91% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 527.6% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($63,117 vs. $10,057).

Wake Forest vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 540 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming Wake Forest students have a 16 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Wake Forest vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University earn a median of about $41,500 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wake Forest University graduates have a $2,663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Wake Forest graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($237 vs. $265).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.