WSSU vs. AU

Should I go to Winston Salem State University or Anderson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WSSU or AU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Winston Salem State University vs. Anderson University comparison
Winston Salem State University Anderson University College 3 College 4
Winston Salem State University Anderson University
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Overview

 WSSU AU
Location Winston-Salem, NC Anderson, SC
Setting Midsize City Small City
Enrollment 5,004 4,121
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #956
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wssu.edu andersonuniversity.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WSSU AU
Tuition (In State) $3,401 $30,860
Tuition (Out of State) $14,057 $30,860
Room & Board $11,220 $11,230
Avg Net Price $14,097 $21,633
Avg Grant Aid $8,350 $24,409
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 100%

Admission

 WSSU AU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,628 5,043
Admitted 5,598 2,289
Acceptance Rate 73.4% 45.4%
Enrolled % 15.3% 34.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.01 3.72
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 14/19
SAT Range 830/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025

Academics

 WSSU AU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Education (37%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 WSSU AU
Graduation Rate 41% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,700 $37,500
Making Student Loan Payments 33% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,663 $26,862
Median Loan Payment $265 $277

Diversity

 WSSU AU
% Men 24% 35%
% Women 76% 65%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 16% 83%
% Black 72% 8%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 WSSU AU
% In-State 82% 68%
% Out-of-State 16% 31%

Campus

 WSSU AU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Winston Salem State University is larger than than AU based on total student enrollment (5,004 students vs. 4,121 students)

WSSU vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or AU?

  • Anderson University is 807.4% more expensive to attend than WSSU for in-state tuition ($30,860.00 vs. $3,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 119.5% higher at AU than Winston Salem State University ($30,860.00 vs. $14,057.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winston Salem State University than AU ($14,097 vs. $21,633)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 0.1% lower than costs at Anderson University ($11,220 vs. $11,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Anderson University than Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Anderson University students is 192.3% larger than aid received Winston Salem State University ($24,409 vs. $8,350)

WSSU vs. AU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU or AU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between AU or WSSU .

  • The average SAT score at Anderson University (1078) is 208 points higher than at WSSU (870)
  • Incoming AU students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at WSSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at WSSU (3.01)
  • WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.4%) than AU (45.4%)

WSSU vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSSU or AU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between AU and WSSU.

  • The graduation rate at AU is higher than Winston Salem State University (48% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Anderson University earn on average $1,800 more per year than WSSU graduates after ten years. ($37,500 vs. $35,700)
  • Winston Salem State University students graduate with a $1,199 lower median federal student loan debt than AU graduates. ($25,663 vs. $26,862)
  • WSSU graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans than AU graduates. ($265 vs. $277)
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/