WSSU vs. Virginia Union University

Should I go to Winston Salem State University or Virginia Union University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WSSU or Virginia Union 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

North Carolina Central University NCAT Fayetteville State University UNCG ECSU Wake Forest F&M Holy Cross ECU Hampton University VSU Catawba College
Winston Salem State University vs. Virginia Union University comparison
Winston Salem State University Virginia Union University College 3 College 4
Winston Salem State University Virginia Union University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WSSU Virginia Union University
Location Winston-Salem, NC Richmond, VA
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,776 1,662
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #953 #1019
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wssu.edu vuu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WSSU Virginia Union University
Tuition (In State) $3,401 $10,530
Tuition (Out of State) $14,057 $10,530
Room & Board $11,484 $9,552
Avg Net Price $12,948 $20,207
Avg Grant Aid $9,254 $14,751
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 88%

Admission

WSSU Virginia Union University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,273 2,771
Admitted 6,357 2,708
Acceptance Rate 68.6% 97.7%
Enrolled % 13.9% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.01 2.71
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 14/18
SAT Range 820/1050 750/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2026

Academics

WSSU Virginia Union University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Social Sciences (35%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

WSSU Virginia Union University
Graduation Rate 41% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,700 $33,300
Making Student Loan Payments 33% 19%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,663 $33,750
Median Loan Payment $265 $348

Diversity

WSSU Virginia Union University
% Men 2% 16%
% Women 9% 14%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 16% 1%
% Black 72% 94%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

WSSU Virginia Union University
% In-State 77% 60%
% Out-of-State 22% 39%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Winston Salem State University is larger than than Virginia Union University based on total student enrollment (4,776 students vs. 1,662 students)

WSSU vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Virginia Union University?

  • Virginia Union University is 209.6% more expensive to attend than WSSU for in-state tuition ($10,530.00 vs. $3,401.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.5% higher at WSSU than Virginia Union University ($14,057.00 vs. $10,530.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winston Salem State University than Virginia Union University ($12,948 vs. $20,207)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Union University are 20.2% lower than costs at Winston Salem State University ($9,552 vs. $11,484)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Winston Salem State University as Virginia Union University (88% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Union University students is 59.4% larger than aid received Winston Salem State University ($14,751 vs. $9,254)

WSSU vs. Virginia Union University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Winston Salem State University (870) is 98 points higher than at Virginia Union University (772)
  • Incoming WSSU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (18) than students at Virginia Union University (16)
  • Accepted freshman WSSU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.01) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71)
  • Virginia Union University has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than WSSU (68.6%)

WSSU vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WSSU or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University and WSSU.

  • The graduation rate at WSSU is higher than Virginia Union University (41% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn on average $2,400 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates after ten years. ($35,700 vs. $33,300)
  • Winston Salem State University students graduate with a $8,087 lower median federal student loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates. ($25,663 vs. $33,750)
  • WSSU graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than Virginia Union University graduates. ($265 vs. $348)
  • More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 19%)

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