WSSU vs. Johnson University

Should I go to Winston Salem State University or Johnson University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WSSU or Johnson University 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. Johnson University comparison
Winston Salem State University Johnson University College 3 College 4
Winston Salem State University
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Overview

 WSSU Johnson University
Location Winston-Salem, NC Knoxville, TN
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 4,776 950
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #953
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wssu.edu johnsonu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 WSSU Johnson University
Tuition (In State) $3,401 $18,428
Tuition (Out of State) $14,057 $18,428
Room & Board $11,484 $9,278
Avg Net Price $12,948 $20,713
Avg Grant Aid $9,254 $9,797
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 94%

Admission

 WSSU Johnson University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,273 610
Admitted 6,357 328
Acceptance Rate 68.6% 53.8%
Enrolled % 13.9% 55.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.01 3.52
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 14/18 19/24
SAT Range 820/1050 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 WSSU Johnson University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (86%)
  • Education (14%)

Outcomes

 WSSU Johnson University
Graduation Rate 41% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,700 $31,100
Making Student Loan Payments 33% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,663 $21,380
Median Loan Payment $265 $221

Diversity

 WSSU Johnson University
% Men 2% 13%
% Women 9% 12%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 16% 87%
% Black 72% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 WSSU Johnson University
% In-State 77% 59%
% Out-of-State 22% 34%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Winston Salem State University is larger than than Johnson University based on total student enrollment (4,776 students vs. 950 students)

WSSU vs. Johnson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Johnson University?

  • Johnson University is 441.8% more expensive to attend than WSSU for in-state tuition ($18,428.00 vs. $3,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.1% higher at Johnson University than Winston Salem State University ($18,428.00 vs. $14,057.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winston Salem State University than Johnson University ($12,948 vs. $20,713)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson University are 23.8% lower than costs at Winston Salem State University ($9,278 vs. $11,484)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Johnson University than Winston Salem State University (94% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Johnson University students is 5.9% larger than aid received Winston Salem State University ($9,797 vs. $9,254)

WSSU vs. Johnson University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Johnson University (1035) is 165 points higher than at WSSU (870)
  • Incoming Johnson University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at WSSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Johnson University students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WSSU (3.01)
  • WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (68.6%) than Johnson University (53.8%)

WSSU vs. Johnson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSSU or Johnson University? 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 Johnson University and WSSU.

  • The graduation rate at Johnson University is higher than Winston Salem State University (54% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Johnson University graduates after ten years. ($35,700 vs. $31,100)
  • Johnson University students graduate with a $4,283 lower median federal student loan debt than WSSU graduates. ($21,380 vs. $25,663)
  • Johnson University graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than WSSU graduates. ($221 vs. $265)
  • More Johnson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 33%)

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