WSSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

WSSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($12,989 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 33.3% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($11,484 vs. $17,230).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is 424.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $26,024 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.6% higher at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Winston Salem State University (about $15,368 more per year; $32,150.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design than at Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students is 49% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($14,989 vs. $10,057).

WSSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 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; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.13) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

WSSU vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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).

• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $1,337 lower median loan debt than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($25,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.