Winston-Salem State University campus
Winston-Salem State University logo

Winston-Salem State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale City: Midsize
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Medium
Common app member Yes
Dormitory capacity 2,423
Student to faculty ratio 16 to 1
Acceptance rate 82%
Students retention rate 76%
On-time graduation rate 46%

Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, WSSU is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 82% indicates that WSSU is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

Winston-Salem State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

While the on-time graduation rate at WSSU is reported to be 46%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, North Carolina state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 61% whereas the national average was 49%.

WSSU boasts an impressive student retention rate of 76% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 80% and 72%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
  • HBCU
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

81.5%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$6,247

Cost of attendance at Winston-Salem State University in 2022 for students from North Carolina.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Carolina's average $7,237
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$16,903

Cost of attendance at Winston-Salem State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Carolina's average $20,075
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 87 of freshman students at Winston-Salem State University received on average $7,752 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$7,752
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 747 74% $5,323 $3,975,947
Other Federal Grant 818 81% $5,272 $4,312,262
State Grant/Scholarships 613 61% $2,147 $1,316,062
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 373 37% $3,034 $1,131,551
Total Grant & Scholarships 872 87% $7,752 $6,759,875

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Winston-Salem State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Winston-Salem State University students is 45.8%. Female students graduated at a rate of 49.4%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 37.0%.

45.8%

  • African American 48.8% 353 students
  • white 24.1% 7 students
  • unknown 47.4% 9 students
  • hispanic 36.1% 13 students
  • International Students 66.7% 2 students
  • Mixed Race 22.9% 11 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Baseball Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Basketball Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
  • Track and Cross Country Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Winston-Salem State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Winston-Salem State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Army
  • ROTC - Air Force

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)