WSSU vs. NSU

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

Winston Salem State University
Norfolk State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WSSU (78.3% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 930 vs 930.
  • Cheaper after aid: NSU. Average net price is $9,124 vs $12,989 at WSSU.
  • Graduation: WSSU 41% vs NSU 33%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WSSU $35,700 vs NSU $36,700 (median).
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Key differences

Winston Salem State University Norfolk State University
Acceptance rate
WSSU more selective
WSSU78.3%
NSU87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
NSU higher
WSSU830-1020
NSU823-1030
Average net price
NSU $3,865 less
WSSU$12,989
NSU$9,124
In-state tuition
WSSU $4,054 less
WSSU$6,126
NSU$10,180
Out-of-state tuition
WSSU $4,900 less
WSSU$16,782
NSU$21,682
Graduation rate
WSSU +8 pts
WSSU41%
NSU33%
Median earnings (10 years)
NSU +$1,000
WSSU$35,700
NSU$36,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WSSU 9,108
  • NSU 11,247
  • Admitted
  • WSSU 7,128
  • NSU 9,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • WSSU 78.3%
  • NSU 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WSSU 13.1%
  • NSU 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WSSU 930
  • NSU 930
  • Typical ACT score
  • WSSU 17
  • NSU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • WSSU 3.01
  • NSU 2.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • WSSU B
  • NSU B
  • Admissions standards
  • WSSU Extremely Easy
  • NSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • WSSU
  • NSU
  • SAT range
  • WSSU 830-1020
  • NSU 823-1030
  • ACT range
  • WSSU 15-20
  • NSU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • WSSU Test optional
  • NSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WSSU Feb 15, 2027
  • NSU May 31, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WSSU $6,126
  • NSU $10,180
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WSSU $16,782
  • NSU $21,682
  • Room & board
  • WSSU $11,484
  • NSU $11,591
  • Average net price
  • WSSU $12,989
  • NSU $9,124
  • Average grant aid
  • WSSU $10,057
  • NSU $15,056
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WSSU 91%
  • NSU 75%
  • Graduation rate
  • WSSU 41%
  • NSU 33%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WSSU $35,700
  • NSU $36,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • WSSU 33%
  • NSU 27%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WSSU $25,663
  • NSU $31,000
  • Median loan payment
  • WSSU $265
  • NSU $320
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WSSU 15:1
  • NSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • WSSU
    • Health Professions (50%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • NSU
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • General Studies (10%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • WSSU Winston-Salem, NC
  • NSU Norfolk, VA
  • Setting
  • WSSU Midsize City
  • NSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • WSSU 4,782
  • NSU 6,053
  • Type
  • WSSU Public 4 Year
  • NSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WSSU #940
  • NSU #988

Comparable Facts

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

Norfolk State University is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 4,782 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 0.9% lower than at Norfolk State University ($11,484 vs. $11,591).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at NSU than at Winston Salem State University (about $4,900 more per year; $21,682 vs. $16,782).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Norfolk State University (91% vs. 75%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 49.7% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($15,056 vs. $10,057).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at NSU than at WSSU (19 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WSSU and NSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027; NSU May 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WSSU average a 3.01 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at NSU (2.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $5,337 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($25,663 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($265 vs. $320).
  • More WSSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation (33% vs. 27%).

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

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