WSSU vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 2,167 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

WSSU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise ($12,989 vs. $14,378).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 10.4% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($11,484 vs. $12,816).
• University of Virginia's College at Wise is 92.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $5,654 more per year; $11,780.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.9% higher at UVa-Wise than at Winston Salem State University (about $11,228 more per year; $28,010.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia's College at Wise than at Winston Salem State University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($12,262 vs. $10,057).

WSSU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and WSSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia's College at Wise (1030) is 100 points higher than at WSSU (930).
• Incoming UVa-Wise students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027; UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

WSSU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU and UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise's (39%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia's College at Wise earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $4,836 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($20,827 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($215 vs. $265).
• More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.