About Winston-Salem State University

Founded in 1892, Winston-Salem State University. is a Public college. Located in North Carolina, which is a city setting in North Carolina, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 4,759 full time undergraduate students, and 392 full time graduate students.

The Winston-Salem State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 302 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Winston-Salem State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate63%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range800-940
ACT Range17-19

Admissions at WSSU are considered Selective, with ,57% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 19 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

70% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 27% were in the top quarter, and 7% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Winston-Salem State University.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
14%
“We know about current events and vote”
78%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
16%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
40%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
4%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
6%
“We bought the gear”
90%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
12%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
22%
“We”re a very artistic group”
12%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
50%
“They keep regular office hours”
38%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
8%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
82%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
10%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
22%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
35%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
31%
“We only party on weekends”
12%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
37%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
49%
“There might be people who do”
10%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
14%
“We know about current events and vote”
78%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
2%
“We save it for the classroom”
16%
“Sometimes, but not often”
57%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
25%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
10%
“I only go out in groups”
40%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
4%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
6%
“We bought the gear”
90%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
12%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
22%
“We”re a very artistic group”
12%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
50%
“They keep regular office hours”
38%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
8%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
82%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
10%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
22%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
35%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
31%
“We only party on weekends”
12%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
37%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
49%
“There might be people who do”
10%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    108 Students rated on-campus housing 3.3 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    73 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    116 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    119 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    119 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 51 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    120 Students rated school activities 4.1 stars. 48 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    120 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    120 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

Winston-Salem State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Winston-Salem State University?

56 Students rated Winston-Salem State University

Nakayla - 09/05/2024

I view it as a school to start to beginning. A school that supports my Biology major in effective ways. A school that’ll help me grow, and learn. I been struggling to find a school that matches me.. A school that’ll actually be efficient to my future. I see this school as my type of school!

matilde - 12/19/2023

Good school overall the most difficult time you’ll have is with flexibility and scheduling with certain classes

Sanayia - 01/20/2022

I like my school very much. I think that if you want a small community where there is a family this is a good school. One thing for sure we do stick up for one another and we do not let each other down. Even the scene in sports is so much fun and live. We go hard for Rampride no matter if we are losing or winning. I like personally going to an HBCU, where you can be accepted, and no matter if you are of a different race we still all come together as a school. We do try to promote safety with multiple blue lights around campus and we even have our own police station on campus! It is definitely a fun experience and you form a permanent family that you will not forget. Don't even let me get started on Homecoming!

Mirona - 12/21/2021

I love it. I feel very welcomed here and we are the livest HBCU on the planet. Everyone is so friendly and the environment is very nice and comfortable. It's also very fun with all the events planned on campus. Everyone supports each other. The professors are very understanding and helpful. It's very easy to pass and get help when needed.

Winston-Salem State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Winston-Salem State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Winston-Salem State University is 63%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    The advice I would give myself would be to work hard, get good grades, and do not procrastinate.

    Read all 104 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classsmates are varied from teenagers to older students. I have always found classmates that have a strong sense of being a good classmate. Usually, I make friends with almost anyone I am in class with and love to hear about their experiences. I am a non-traditional student who loves to learn. I wished that I had went to college when I was younger and stress this to my younger classmates.

    Read all 27 answers

  4. What's unique about your campus?

    the education itself

    Read all 23 answers

  5. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish that i had known about the number of degrees in biology given out each year. Knowing a statistic like this would have aided me in choosing a school in which biology is/close to being a top priority.

    Read all 22 answers

  6. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Whenever contacted Winston Salem State University over the phone or through email, my classmates and myself always had trouble receiving help from the staff. They liked to transfer us to different departments and those departments liked to transfer us to someone else. It was very frustrating when I couldn't get a straight forward answer and got the "run around" from many of the departments because they didn't know the answers.

    Read all 21 answers

  7. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    It is a good school and the professors will work with you to complete the class.

    Read all 18 answers

  8. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Winston Salem State University is open to all students no matter gender, race, or status. If your like me I love small classes and a somewhat small campus if you feel the same WSSU is for you. We have great professors who really care about there students well being, they are true to there office hours and are up on there voicemails and emails.

    Read all 17 answers

  9. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Winston-Salem State University is a historically african american university that offers a baccalaureate and also graduate progrmas to students of other race. Winston-Salem State, "WSSU", is know for their competitive Nursing program of which why I am attending the school. It has been stated that, "U.S. News and World Report has ranked the university among Top Public Comprehensive Colleges in the South - Bachelor's Category for the last nine years (2001-2009)." -The Winston-Salem State University website.

    Read all 15 answers

  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    We're an HBCU and the majority of our students are on the Dean's List

    Read all 15 answers

  11. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    One who is not goal/career oriented. I believe someone needs to have a good idea of what they want out of their future.

    Read all 14 answers

  12. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The students are very friendly and so are the professors. Its a beautiful small campus, great for people who do not want a big campus.

    Read all 11 answers

  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Not having more food choices on campus and of course Finical Aid

    Read all 9 answers

  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is very focused on promoting excellence in all students. I love the level of dedication that the faculty and staff give. The motto is "Enter to learn, depart to serve." Almost everyone that I have known to attend WSSU says that the atmosphere is inviting and welcoming, and the environment is a happy one. There is a lot of diversity on WSSU's campus, even though it is an HBCU. Everyone is able to fit in. If I could change something about this school, I would probably want places like the library and cafeteria open longer hours. I'll always remember the extremely large amount of school spirit we show at athletic events (and all other events). My fellow classmates definitely know how to have fun. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy my time at Winston-Salem State University.

    Read all 4 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    A stereotype at Winston-Salem State University is the cheerleaders are very stuck up and have attitude problems. Some say that they do not like to associate with those that are not cheerleaders. I do not think that this stereotype is true because I have recently been able to get to know a few cheerleaders. They are very nice and polite.

    Read all 4 answers

  16. What are the academics like at your school?

    I will start off by saying that the classes are usually fairly small. I love this, because it gives the professors a better/closer relationship with students. It allows for more one-on-one time to be spent. Professors know my name because I make a point to sit in the front or close to it, and I also introduce myself to them face-to-face. Classes go pretty smoothly as long as students do their assignments and participate in class. Most of the time, class participation is very important in order to pass classes. Professors also encourage students to think and process information on their own, so they are not just being given all the answers. The standard that has been set is simply this: excellence.

    Read all 1 answers

  17. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    To be completely honest, I was not sold on coming to Winston-Salem State University when I first take a tour of the campus. I was attached to being in my home state, and truthfully, everything was a blur to me. One thing I could say for sure, however, is that I felt welcome by everyone that I encountered during my first visit to WSSU. The hospitality of everyone seemed so genuine. After submitting my application, I really didn't think anything of coming to WSSU, but I was intrigued by the idea of attending a historically Black college or university. When I received the letter in the mail, stating that not only had I been accepted, but also offered a 4-year full scholarship to be a part of the Honors Program, I saw nothing but red and white. I knew that I was destined to be a Ram.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

71%

female

29%

male

4,759

Total Undergrad Enrollment

392

Total Grad Students

7%

Out-Of-State

92%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

33

Student Organizations

4

Fraternities

4

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

37%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
74%
% Hispanic/Latino
3%
% White or Caucasian
14%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

96% of students attending Winston-Salem State University receive some sort of financial aid. 77% were awarded federal grants. While 85% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$15,915

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,300

Books and Supplies

$9,593

Room and Board

26,808

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$9,361
$30 - $48K
$10,059
$48 - $75K
$14,297
$75 - $110K
$16,797
$110K & UP
$16,309

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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