WSSU Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Winston-Salem, NC
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#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

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WSSU Admission Overview

WSSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year WSSU admitted 78.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.01 GPA (B) and SAT 830-1020 / ACT 15-20. WSSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WSSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WSSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

78.3%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The WSSU acceptance rate is 78.3%. Last year, 7,128 of 9,108 applicants were admitted. That is the 37th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into WSSU and can you get accepted?

WSSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Winston Salem State University typically attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.01. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WSSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.01

Typical High School Grades

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.01

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at WSSU typically have around a 3.01 GPA (B) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have about average high school grades. WSSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #43 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.0 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

WSSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

830-1020

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 430
Math 400
Composite 830

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 520
Math 500
Composite 1020

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at WSSU typically score around a 930 SAT (middle 50% 830–1020) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 27th percentile nationally. WSSU ranks #46 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 830 to 1020

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

WSSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 930 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Winston Salem State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1020+	Above 75th	>87%
930 to 1020	Avg +	79%-87%
830 to 930	Avg -	65%-79%
Below 830	Below mid-50	<65%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

WSSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

15-20

Freshmen reporting ACT

11%

25th Percentile Scores

English 12
Math 15
Composite 15

75th Percentile Scores

English 19
Math 18
Composite 20

Average ACT

Incoming testers at WSSU typically have around a 17 ACT (mid-50 15–20) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 31st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. WSSU places #45 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 15 to 20

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to WSSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 17.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Winston Salem State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
20+	Above 75th	>88%
17 to 20	Avg +	78%-88%
15 to 17	Avg -	68%-78%
Below 15	Below mid-50	<68%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

65% of Winston Salem State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Winston Salem State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	6%
Top 25% of class	24%
Top 50% of class	65%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the WSSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Winston Salem State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	6,583	2,403	9,108
Accepted	5,270	1,759	7,128
Acceptance Rate	80%	73%	78%
Enrolled	681	233	931
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	13%	13%	13%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Winston Salem State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Winston Salem State University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

168

Applicants have 168 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Winston Salem State University is $50.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Winston Salem State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

WSSU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 78.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.01 GPA (about an B average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (830-1020); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025