Worcester State University vs. WSSU

Deciding between Worcester State University and Winston Salem State 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.

Worcester State University
Winston Salem State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Worcester State University Worcester, MA
  • WSSU Winston-Salem, NC
  • Setting
  • Worcester State University Midsize City
  • WSSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Worcester State University 5,745
  • WSSU 4,782
  • Type
  • Worcester State University Public 4 Year
  • WSSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Worcester State University #558
  • WSSU #940
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Worcester State University -
  • WSSU -
  • Status
  • Worcester State University Non-profit
  • WSSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Worcester State University
  • WSSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Worcester State University $11,786
  • WSSU $6,126
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Worcester State University $17,866
  • WSSU $16,782
  • Room & Board
  • Worcester State University $14,307
  • WSSU $11,484
  • Average Net Price
  • Worcester State University $12,778
  • WSSU $12,989
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University $9,464
  • WSSU $10,057
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Worcester State University 80%
  • WSSU 91%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Worcester State University 5,156
  • WSSU 9,108
  • Admitted
  • Worcester State University 4,537
  • WSSU 7,128
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Worcester State University 88%
  • WSSU 78.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Worcester State University 16.7%
  • WSSU 13.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Worcester State University 1150
  • WSSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • Worcester State University
  • WSSU 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • Worcester State University 3.3
  • WSSU 3.01
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Worcester State University B+
  • WSSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Worcester State University Average
  • WSSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Worcester State University
  • WSSU
  • ACT Range
  • Worcester State University
  • WSSU 15/20
  • SAT Range
  • Worcester State University 1026/1283
  • WSSU 830/1020
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Worcester State University Test optional
  • WSSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027
  • WSSU Feb 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Worcester State University 16:1
  • WSSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Worcester State University
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • WSSU
    • Health Professions (50%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Worcester State University 47%
  • WSSU 41%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Worcester State University $49,200
  • WSSU $35,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Worcester State University 66%
  • WSSU 33%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Worcester State University $20,000
  • WSSU $25,663
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Worcester State University $206
  • WSSU $265
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Worcester State University 38%
  • WSSU 26%
  • % Women
  • Worcester State University 62%
  • WSSU 74%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Worcester State University Low
  • WSSU Low
  • HBCU
  • Worcester State University No
  • WSSU Yes
  • % White
  • Worcester State University 71%
  • WSSU 16%
  • % Asian
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • WSSU 1%
  • % Black
  • Worcester State University 8%
  • WSSU 72%
  • % Hispanic
  • Worcester State University 9%
  • WSSU 3%
  • % Native American
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • WSSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Worcester State University 0%
  • WSSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Worcester State University 3%
  • WSSU 4%
  • % International
  • Worcester State University 1%
  • WSSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Worcester State University 4%
  • WSSU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Worcester State University 93%
  • WSSU 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Worcester State University 6%
  • WSSU 24%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • WSSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Worcester State University No
  • WSSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • WSSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Worcester State University Yes
  • WSSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Worcester State University No
  • WSSU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Worcester State University in Worcester, MA with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Worcester State University is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (5,745 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Worcester State University is located in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
  • Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Worcester State University 16:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Worcester State University vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Worcester State University or WSSU? 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 Worcester State University than WSSU ($12,778 vs. $12,989).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 19.7% lower than at Worcester State University ($11,484 vs. $14,307).
  • Worcester State University is 92.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $5,660 more per year; $11,786.00 vs. $6,126.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Worcester State University than at Winston Salem State University (about $1,084 more per year; $17,866.00 vs. $16,782.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Worcester State University (91% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 6.3% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($10,057 vs. $9,464).

Worcester State University vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Worcester State University or WSSU? 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 WSSU and Worcester State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Worcester State University (1150) is 220 points higher than at WSSU (930).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Worcester State University 1026/1283; Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Worcester State University - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Worcester State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at WSSU (3.01).
  • Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than WSSU (78.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Worcester State University vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Worcester State University vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Worcester State University and WSSU? 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).

  • Worcester State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Winston Salem State University's (41%).
  • Graduates from Worcester State University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $5,663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,663).
  • Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($206 vs. $265).
  • More Worcester State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.