Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 49.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 48.6%
- Retention Rate
- 74.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $45,344
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 33.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $88,195 | $26,157 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $73,446 | $61,191 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,067 | $16,874 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $59,837 | $31,610 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $47,930 | $20,778 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $40,647 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $35,420 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $32,391 | $25,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $32,094 | $28,515 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $31,708 | $25,140 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $30,721 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $27,225 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $30,554 | $26,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Winston-Salem State graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $25,000 and earn $45,344 ten years after graduation. Monthly loan payments of $265 consume about 7% of typical graduate income, which sits below troubling levels. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 reflects reasonable borrowing relative to future earning potential. Many graduates pursue careers in nursing, education, and healthcare where WSSU has strong regional connections. The 96.3% employment rate demonstrates solid job placement success. Teacher preparation and nursing programs typically lead to stable, if modest, starting salaries in North Carolina. Given the affordable tuition and strong employment outcomes in essential fields, WSSU delivers an average return on investment for students seeking practical career preparation.