At $13,393/yr net price, Winston-Salem State University graduates earn $45,344/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,344/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,393 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $53,572 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,344/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,344/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,012/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,586/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,668/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,214/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,815/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
48.6% of students at Winston-Salem State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Winston-Salem State University gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns $45,344 ten years out against $25,000 in debt, so the typical outcome covers itself but leaves little room to spare.
Nursing is the clear winner. You graduate with earnings near $62,000 and under $17,000 in debt, the rare combination of high pay and low borrowing on this campus. Clinical lab science pays well too, though you borrow more to get there. Below that, the numbers thin out fast. Accounting graduates earn about $42,700 but carry $26,000 in debt, meaning the debt outpaces the payoff. Finance is the weakest of the listed programs at around $35,400, which barely clears the median debt after a decade. If you enroll intending to major in finance, you should know the return here is soft.
The bigger risk is graduating at all. Only about 49% of students finish, and one in four first-year students doesn't return for a second year. Debt with no degree is the worst outcome, and here it's a real possibility. Choose a program you can complete.
Net price runs low for families under $48,000, staying near $11,000-12,600 a year. It jumps sharply once your family income passes $48,000, landing above $20,000 for households over $75,000. Higher-income families pay close to double what the lowest earners do.
This school fits you if you're aiming for nursing or another health field and want a public in-state price. Look harder before committing if your plan is finance or a major without listed earnings data, since the payoff there is thin and the completion odds add risk to every dollar you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Winston-Salem State University worth the cost?
Winston-Salem State University offers mixed value depending on your major. Nursing and rehabilitation programs show strong returns with graduates earning $60,000-$88,000, but the overall 10-year median earnings of $45,344 barely justify the investment for many other fields.
What are the best paying majors at Winston-Salem State University?
Nursing programs lead earnings at Winston-Salem State, with some graduates earning up to $88,195 annually. Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions also perform well at around $60,000-$73,000, while most other programs fall well below these levels.
How much debt do Winston-Salem State University graduates have?
Winston-Salem State graduates leave with a median debt of $25,000. With average earnings of $45,344 ten years after graduation, this creates a manageable but not impressive debt-to-income ratio for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Winston-Salem State University?
Winston-Salem State University has a 48.6% graduation rate, meaning over half of students who start never finish their degree. This significantly increases the risk that your investment won't pay off at all.