WSSU vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

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

Winston Salem State University is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WSSU vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University ($12,989 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 17.5% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($9,480 vs. $11,484).
• Bluefield University is 337% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $20,644 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at Bluefield University than at Winston Salem State University (about $9,988 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Winston Salem State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 102.3% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($20,341 vs. $10,057).

WSSU vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU or Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University and WSSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

WSSU vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU and Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University's (36%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $4,829 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($20,834 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($215 vs. $265).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.