WSSU vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Winston Salem State University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Centra College 3:1.

WSSU vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU or Centra College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 7.6% lower than at Centra College ($11,484 vs. $12,424).
• Centra College is 111.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $6,857 more per year; $12,983.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at WSSU than at Centra College (about $3,799 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Centra College (91% vs. 0%).

WSSU vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU or Centra College? 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 Centra College and WSSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 0% at Centra College.

WSSU vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU and Centra College? 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).

• Graduates from Centra College earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $13,621 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($12,042 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $141 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($124 vs. $265).
• More Centra College 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.