WSSU vs. CU

Winston Salem State University and Cumberland University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Winston Salem State University
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 78.3%). Typical SAT N/A vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: WSSU. Average net price is $12,989 vs $18,499 at CU.
  • Graduation: WSSU 41% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WSSU $35,700 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

Winston Salem State University Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
WSSU78.3%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WSSU higher
WSSU830-1020
CU-
Average net price
WSSU $5,510 less
WSSU$12,989
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
WSSU $21,714 less
WSSU$6,126
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
WSSU $11,058 less
WSSU$16,782
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
WSSU +7 pts
WSSU41%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU +$4,200
WSSU$35,700
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WSSU 9,108
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • WSSU 7,128
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • WSSU 78.3%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WSSU 13.1%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WSSU 930
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • WSSU 17
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • WSSU 3.01
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • WSSU B
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WSSU Extremely Easy
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WSSU
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • WSSU 830-1020
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • WSSU 15-20
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • WSSU Test optional
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WSSU Feb 15, 2027
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WSSU $6,126
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WSSU $16,782
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • WSSU $11,484
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • WSSU $12,989
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • WSSU $10,057
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WSSU 91%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WSSU 41%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WSSU $35,700
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • WSSU 33%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WSSU $25,663
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • WSSU $265
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WSSU 15:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • WSSU
    • Health Professions (50%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • WSSU Winston-Salem, NC
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • WSSU Midsize City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WSSU 4,782
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • WSSU Public 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WSSU #940
  • CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Winston Salem State University 15:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 10.3% lower than at Cumberland University ($11,484 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 65.9% higher at CU than at Winston Salem State University (about $11,058 more per year; $27,840 vs. $16,782).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 145.6% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($24,703 vs. $10,057).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WSSU, test-free at CU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CU average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at WSSU (3.01).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $3,934 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($21,729 vs. $25,663).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($224 vs. $265).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 33%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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