WSSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Deciding between Winston Salem State University and Potomac State College of West Virginia University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Winston Salem State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • WSSU Winston-Salem, NC
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Keyser, WV
  • Setting
  • WSSU Midsize City
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WSSU 4,782
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 1,077
  • Type
  • WSSU Public 4 Year
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • WSSU #940
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • WSSU -
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University -
  • Status
  • WSSU Non-profit
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • WSSU
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • WSSU $6,126
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $5,280
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • WSSU $16,782
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $13,200
  • Room & Board
  • WSSU $11,484
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $12,580
  • Average Net Price
  • WSSU $12,989
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $9,541
  • Average Grant Aid
  • WSSU $10,057
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $6,890
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • WSSU 91%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 90%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • WSSU Calculate
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Calculate
  • Applied
  • WSSU 9,108
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University -
  • Admitted
  • WSSU 7,128
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • WSSU 78.3%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Open
  • Enrolled
  • WSSU 13.1%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • WSSU 930
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • Typical ACT score
  • WSSU 17
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • Average High School GPA
  • WSSU 3.01
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 3.06
  • Typical High School Grades
  • WSSU B
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University B
  • Admissions Standards
  • WSSU Extremely Easy
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • WSSU
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • ACT Range
  • WSSU 15/20
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • SAT Range
  • WSSU 830/1020
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • WSSU Test optional
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • WSSU Feb 15, 2027
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • WSSU 15:1
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • WSSU
    • Health Professions (50%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
    • Agriculture (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Education (10%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • WSSU 41%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • WSSU $35,700
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $50,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • WSSU 33%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • WSSU $25,663
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $24,001
  • Median Loan Payment
  • WSSU $265
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University $248
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • WSSU 26%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 38%
  • % Women
  • WSSU 74%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • WSSU Low
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Medium
  • HBCU
  • WSSU Yes
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University No
  • % White
  • WSSU 16%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 69%
  • % Asian
  • WSSU 1%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 0%
  • % Black
  • WSSU 72%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 23%
  • % Hispanic
  • WSSU 3%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 3%
  • % Native American
  • WSSU 1%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • WSSU 0%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • WSSU 4%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 1%
  • % International
  • WSSU 2%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • WSSU 2%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • WSSU 75%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • WSSU 24%
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University 21%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • WSSU Yes
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • WSSU No
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University No
  • Meal Plan
  • WSSU Yes
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • WSSU Yes
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • WSSU No
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University No
  • Learn More
  • WSSU Details
  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
  • Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

WSSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University than WSSU ($9,541 vs. $12,989).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 8.7% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($11,484 vs. $12,580).
  • Winston Salem State University is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $846 more per year; $6,126.00 vs. $5,280.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at WSSU than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $3,582 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $13,200.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (91% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 46% larger than aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students ($10,057 vs. $6,890).

WSSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and WSSU.

  • Potomac State College of West Virginia University reports an open admissions policy.
  • 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; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Potomac State College of West Virginia University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.06) than students at WSSU (3.01).

WSSU vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU and Potomac State College of West Virginia 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).

  • Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $1,662 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($24,001 vs. $25,663).
  • Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($248 vs. $265).
  • More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.