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#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

WSSU Admission Requirements

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Your chances of getting into Winston Salem State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

73.4%
Admission Difficulty for Winston Salem State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at WSSU is 73.4%.  Its admission rate is the 29th lowest in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

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

WSSU is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 5,598 out of the 7,628 who applied were admitted.

Winston Salem State University typically accepts and 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. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into WSSU?

73% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Winston Salem State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.01 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 940 on the SAT
  • Score 16 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

WSSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.01

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Winston Salem State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into WSSU are to have around a 3.01 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as WSSU accepts 73% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at WSSU is 3.01 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #45 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since WSSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.0 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

WSSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Winston Salem State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 8% of students submitted SAT scores and 16% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

830-1050

Applicants Submitting SAT 

8%
SAT Scores for Winston Salem State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 420
Math 25th Percentile 410
Composite 25th Percentile 830
SAT Scores for Winston Salem State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 530
Math 75th Percentile 520
Composite 75th Percentile 1050
Average SAT Score 940

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Winston Salem State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at WSSU is 940 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 830-1050. Students who get into Winston Salem State University score in the top 87 percent of all SAT test takers..  WSSU ranks #45 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 940 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. WSSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 830 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 830, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 720, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Winston Salem State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 940 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 940, you have around a 73% chance of being admitted. A 1050 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 84% chance of getting in.

Winston Salem State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1050 and Above Good >84%
940 to 1050 Avg + 73%-84%
830 to 940 Avg - 59%-73%
720 to 830 Reach 43%-59%
Less than 720 Low <43%
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WSSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

14-19 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

16%
ACT Scores for Winston Salem State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 12
Math 25th Percentile 15
Composite 25th Percentile 14
ACT Scores for Winston Salem State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 19
Math 75th Percentile 18
Composite 75th Percentile 19
Average ACT Score 16

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into WSSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to WSSU is 16, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 14 and 19.  The school ranks #47 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 16. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 14 and score in the score in the top 87 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 12.

16 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Winston Salem State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Winston Salem State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into WSSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 16 score has around 73% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 19 ACT score.

Winston Salem State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
19 and Above Good >85%
16 to 19 Avg + 73%-85%
14 to 16 Avg - 62%-73%
12 to 14 Reach 49%-62%
Less than 12 Low <49%
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High School Class Rank

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

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Winston Salem State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,449 2,178 7,628
Accepted 4,066 1,531 5,598
Acceptance Rate 75% 70% 73%
Enrolled 629 226 855
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 15% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

66

Applicants have 66 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Feb 15, 2025.

Application Fee

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

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
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

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Winston Salem State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because WSSU is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.01 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 940 on the SAT and 16 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Winston Salem State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199999 IPEDS survey data for Winston Salem State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024