Winston Salem State University campus

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Winston Salem State University

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Winston-Salem, NC
  • 0 reviews
#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

4,782
Winston Salem State University overview
Winston Salem State University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Winston-Salem State University, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a public historically Black university that was founded in 1892 as Slater Industrial Academy. The 117-acre urban campus sits in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, approximately 100 miles west of Raleigh. WSSU operates as part of the University of North Carolina system and is known for its nursing, healthcare sciences, and education programs, with particular strength in producing minority healthcare professionals. The campus features a mix of historic and modern buildings, including student residence halls that house approximately half of the undergraduate population. The university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Rams, with notable success in basketball and track and field.

Winston Salem State University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community. Explore all HBCUs
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Ratings

WSSU is rated within the lower 30% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    2 out of 10
  • Resources
    6 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    3 out of 10
  • Value
    3 out of 10
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Rankings

Rankings for Winston Salem State University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Winston Salem State University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 830/1020
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 15/20
  • GPA 3.01

Acceptance Rate

78.3%
Winston Salem State University applications overview
  • Applications Due Feb 15, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 13.1%
  • Application Fee $50

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

North Carolina Resident Tuition

$6,126

Out of State Resident Tuition

$16,782

Breakdown

In State Costs for Winston Salem State University
  • Tuition $6,126
  • Books and Supplies $1,690
  • Other Fees $2,725
  • Room and Board $11,484
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,492
  • Total One Year Cost $25,517
View Tuition & Financial Aid Details

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$35,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

41% within 6 years
View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Winston Salem State University are Health Professions, Business, and Education. 50% of students major in Health Professions, 9% in Business, and 6% in Education.

  • Health Professions 50%
  • Business 9%
  • Education 6%
  • Social Sciences 5%
  • Psychology 5%
View All 38 Majors

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Winston Salem State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199999.

GPA calculator: Winston Salem State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026