Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
| Online | wssu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus 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.
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Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
WSSU is rated within the lower 29% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Winston Salem State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#953 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#389 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#27 in Best Colleges in North Carolina
#12 in Best Public Colleges in North Carolina
#117 in Best Value Colleges in North Carolina
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 820/1050 |
| ACT | 14/18 |
| GPA | 3.01 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
North Carolina Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,690 |
| Other Fees | $3,334 |
| Room and Board | $11,484 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,492 |
| Total One Year Cost | $23,401 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,690 |
| Other Fees | $3,334 |
| Room and Board | $11,484 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,492 |
| Total One Year Cost | $34,057 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 50% |
| Business | 9% |
| Education | 6% |
| Social Sciences | 5% |
| Psychology | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering WSSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199999 IPEDS survey data for Winston Salem State University.
Current students may use the Winston Salem State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025