Winston-Salem, NC · Private University
Is Winston-Salem State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$45,344
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$6,735
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,391
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$69,564
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.61x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,393
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Winston-Salem State University graduates earn $344 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Winston-Salem State University ranked by graduate earnings
374 graduates
17 graduates
20 graduates
55 graduates
21 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Winston-Salem State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Winston-Salem State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $73,285) and the lowest (Economics: $25,653) is $47,632/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $73,285 | 4.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $60,698 | 3.5x |
| Computer Science | $59,761 | 3.4x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $59,239 | 3.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,840 | 3.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $45,706 | 2.6x |
| Social Work | $45,182 | 2.6x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $42,216 | 2.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,567 | 2.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,722 | 2.2x |
| Biology, General | $35,669 | 2.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,607 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,174 | 2.0x |
| Psychology, General | $35,121 | 2.0x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $33,674 | 1.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,477 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $28,557 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,054 | 1.6x |
| EconomicsLowest(1yr data) | $25,653 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Winston-Salem State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $45,344 10 years after starting, $344 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
Ready to apply to Winston-Salem State University?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.