Winston-Salem State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Winston-Salem State University is a public research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving roughly 4,170 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 78.26% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $45,344 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $6,126
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,479 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 78.26% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,170 90.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 46.68%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 35.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 7.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 8.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 67.1%
- Average SAT Score: 945
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,626
- Applicants (IPEDS): 9,273
- Room & Board: $11,484 annual estimate
Winston-Salem State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Winston-Salem State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Winston-Salem State University?
Winston-Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (ZIP 27110-0001).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Winston-Salem State University public or private?
Winston-Salem State University is a Public institution.
How much does Winston-Salem State University cost?
Published tuition: $6,126 in-state, $16,782 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,479.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $11,463 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,412 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,681 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,813 |
| $110,001+ | $21,405 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $24,504.
How hard is it to get into Winston-Salem State University?
Admission rate: 78.26%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 945 and midpoint ACT 17.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Winston-Salem State University?
Total enrollment: 4,170 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,626 students.
Graduate enrollment: 590 students.
About 90% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Winston-Salem State University?
150%-time completion rate: 46.68%.
First-year retention: 77.2%.
What do graduates of Winston-Salem State University earn?
Median earnings: $40,557 six years after entry; $45,344 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,000.
64.91% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Winston-Salem State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (139 completions)
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management (113 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (87 completions)
- Psychology, General (60 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (59 completions)
- General Studies (58 completions)
- Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist (58 completions)
- Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology (43 completions)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist (39 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (36 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Winston-Salem State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 78.26%; completion rate 46.68%; median earnings $45,344 at 10 years; net price $13,479. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$6,126
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Winston-Salem State University was $6,126.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,479
2024 Value
In 2024 Winston-Salem State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,479.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$53,916 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,479 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$24,504 4-Year In-State Tuition
$67,128 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$11,484 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,690 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$19,300 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$77,200 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Winston-Salem State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
64.91% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
67.93% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Winston-Salem State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Winston-Salem State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,468 | $14,281 | $8,788 |
| 2014 | $5,583 | $15,113 | $8,200 |
| 2015 | $5,707 | $15,523 | $9,285 |
| 2016 | $5,804 | $15,915 | $10,849 |
| 2017 | $5,941 | $16,188 | $11,811 |
| 2018 | $5,904 | $16,151 | $11,802 |
| 2019 | $5,941 | $16,188 | $12,286 |
| 2020 | $5,941 | $16,188 | $12,415 |
| 2021 | $6,247 | $16,903 | $13,435 |
| 2022 | $6,276 | $16,932 | $14,618 |
| 2023 | $6,735 | $17,391 | $13,393 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
78.26% Acceptance Rate
9,273 Total Applicants
6,357 Students Admitted
883 First-Time Students Enrolled
13.89% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 945
ACT Average: 17
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Winston-Salem State University reported total enrollment of about 4,170 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 26% male and 74% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Black or African American (83.2%), White (4.9%), and Hispanic or Latino (4.8%). About 64.91% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
90.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Winston-Salem State University in 2024 is 4,170 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 4,626 students. Graduate enrollment is about 590 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
77.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Black or African American at 83.2%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
30.04% 100% Completion Time
46.68% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 30.04% of students graduating from Winston-Salem State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 6% male / 94% female
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management: 12% male / 88% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 32% male / 68% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Black or African American.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Winston-Salem State University.
Return on Investment
$25,000 Median Student Debt
$45,344 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
55.13% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
741.01% Return on Investment
5.5 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Winston-Salem State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 38 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 139 completions
2. Health/Health Care Administration/Management: 113 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 87 completions
4. Psychology, General: 60 completions
5. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 59 completions
6. General Studies: 58 completions
7. Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist: 58 completions
8. Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology: 43 completions
9. Physical Therapy/Therapist: 39 completions
Most popular programs at Winston-Salem State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Winston-Salem State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Winston-Salem State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 67.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,217
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,408
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Winston-Salem State University is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, NC, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Health/Health Care Administration/Management, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 4,170 students. Student body composition includes Black or African American (83.2%), White (4.9%), Hispanic or Latino (4.8%). The admission rate is 78.26%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 945. The 150%-time completion rate is 46.68%. Approximately 64.91% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Winston-Salem, NC 27110-0001
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Winston-Salem State University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Winston-Salem State University located?
Winston-Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC.
What is Winston-Salem State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Winston-Salem State University is 78.3% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 9,273 applicants and 6,357 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Winston-Salem State University cost?
Reported tuition is $6,126 and average net price is $13,479 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,484 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Winston-Salem State University?
Winston-Salem State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 4,626 students, Black or African American (83.2%), White (4.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Winston-Salem State University?
About 35.4% of students at Winston-Salem State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Winston-Salem State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Winston-Salem State University reports midpoint SAT about 945 and midpoint ACT about 17.
What do graduates of Winston-Salem State University earn?
Median earnings are $40,557 six years after entry and $45,344 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Winston-Salem State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 46.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Winston-Salem State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
Is Winston-Salem State University public or private?
Winston-Salem State University is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, NC.
Is Winston-Salem State University an HBCU?
Yes. Winston-Salem State University is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is Winston-Salem State University a tribal college?
No. Winston-Salem State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- North Carolina college profile
- North Carolina college costs
- North Carolina colleges by ROI
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- Urban (City) college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in North Carolina
- North Carolina college costs
- North Carolina colleges by ROI
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina city profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in North Carolina
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.