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Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University says yes to 78.3% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $45,344 median earnings.
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Winston-Salem State University sits in Winston-Salem proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $94,298 four years out. 64.9% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 4,170 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 77.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 820 and 1050 — below the NC middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Winston-Salem State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Winston-Salem State University received 9,273 applications and admitted 6,357 (68.6%), with 883 enrolling.
You can apply to Winston-Salem State University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 820 and 1050; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 420 | 490 | 530 |
| SAT Math | 400 | 450 | 520 |
| ACT Composite | 14 | 17 | 18 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Winston-Salem State University compares
| Winston-Salem State University | North Carolina median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 78.3% | 75.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $6,126 | $19,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $45,344 | $45,873 | $53,781 |
At $45,344, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($45,873). Look at Winston-Salem State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $6,126 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $16,782. For non-residents, Winston-Salem State University's $16,782 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 4,170 undergrads, Winston-Salem State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
46.7% graduate within six years. Roughly 53% don't — ask a Winston-Salem State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Winston-Salem State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $94,298 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $84,952 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $70,941 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $70,450 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $63,562 |
| Social Work | $53,028 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,895 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $52,130 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $51,520 |
| Biology, General | $47,527 |
| Marketing | $45,930 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $45,182 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,313 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $43,292 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $42,179 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,020 |
| Psychology, General | $40,797 |
| Sociology | $38,245 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,786 |
Median earnings for these 19 Winston-Salem State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $45,344 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 14 additional Winston-Salem State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Winston-Salem State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 820–1050 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 78.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Winston-Salem State University's acceptance rate?
68.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 6,357 admitted from 9,273 applicants.
How much does Winston-Salem State University cost?
In-state tuition is $6,126; out-of-state students pay $16,782. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Winston-Salem State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $45,344 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in North Carolina
- Western Carolina University — 81.8% admitted
- Warren Wilson College — 71.3% admitted
- Shaw University — 80.2% admitted
- Salem College — 76.7% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.