WSSU vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Winston Salem State University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

WSSU vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College ($12,989 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 13.2% lower than at Ferrum College ($11,484 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 365.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $22,394 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.9% higher at Ferrum College than at Winston Salem State University (about $11,738 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Winston Salem State University (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 242.5% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($34,444 vs. $10,057).

WSSU vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ferrum College (990) is 60 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• 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; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Ferrum College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.14) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

WSSU vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU and Ferrum 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).

• Winston Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Ferrum College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($25,663 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($265 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.