WSSU vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Winston Salem State University is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Columbia College 12:1.

WSSU vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College ($12,989 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 18.2% lower than at Winston Salem State University ($9,390 vs. $11,484).
• Columbia College is 262.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $16,088 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.4% higher at Columbia College than at Winston Salem State University (about $5,432 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Winston Salem State University (97% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 63.6% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($16,451 vs. $10,057).

WSSU vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and WSSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia College (1000) is 70 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming WSSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

WSSU vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU and Columbia College? 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $399 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($25,264 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($261 vs. $265).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.