Match #1
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC
Profile closeness86/100
Admit rate87%
- 6,081 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Graduation rate 47%, close to 47%
- Enrollment 6,081 students, close to 4,170
The colleges most similar to Winston-Salem State University are North Carolina Central University, Fayetteville State University, and Elizabeth City State University. Winston-Salem State University admits 78% of applicants and has an average net price of $12,817 a year; 5 of its 10 alternatives cost less and 7 admit a larger share of applicants, in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Profile closeness (0–100) compares graduation rate, size, admit rate, net price, Carnegie class, and control with Winston-Salem State University. The order also uses CollegesRef matching tiers, so a later match can score higher. Admit-rate bars use a 0–100% scale.
Top 10 alternatives to Winston-Salem State University
Row-wise results ranked by similarity. No curated AI list exists for this school.
Match #2
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
Profile closeness78/100
Admit rate82%
- 5,762 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Enrollment 5,762 students, close to 4,170
- Acceptance rate 82%, close to 78%
Match #3
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
Profile closeness71/100
Admit rate64%
- 1,975 students
- Public
- Town: Distant
- Graduation rate 46%, close to 47%
- Same control type (public)
Match #4
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC
Profile closeness67/100
Admit rate50%
- 12,182 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Average net price $9,884, close to $12,817
- Same control type (public)
Match #5
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
Profile closeness83/100
Admit rate70%
- 4,848 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Enrollment 4,848 students, close to 4,170
- Average net price $12,154, close to $12,817
Match #6
Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA
Profile closeness80/100
Admit rate89%
- 5,074 students
- Public
- Suburb: Large
- Enrollment 5,074 students, close to 4,170
- Average net price $14,893, close to $12,817
Match #7
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA
Profile closeness79/100
Admit rate88%
- 5,392 students
- Public
- City: Midsize
- Enrollment 5,392 students, close to 4,170
- Average net price $12,180, close to $12,817
Match #8
South Carolina State University
Orangeburg, SC
Profile closeness70/100
Admit rate83%
- 2,934 students
- Public
- Town: Distant
- Enrollment 2,934 students, close to 4,170
- Acceptance rate 83%, close to 78%
Match #9
Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View, TX
Profile closeness87/100
Admit rate79%
- 8,877 students
- Public
- Town: Distant
- Graduation rate 46%, close to 47%
- Acceptance rate 79%, close to 78%
Match #10
Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD
Profile closeness81/100
Admit rate82%
- 9,019 students
- Public
- City: Large
- Graduation rate 42%, close to 47%
- Acceptance rate 82%, close to 78%
Questions about Winston-Salem State University alternatives
What colleges are similar to Winston-Salem State University?
The closest matches to Winston-Salem State University are North Carolina Central University, Fayetteville State University, Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina A & T State University, and Tennessee State University. CollegesRef ranks them on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile using IPEDS and College Scorecard data.
Is Winston-Salem State University hard to get into?
Winston-Salem State University admitted 78% of its 5,419 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, so it is not very selective: it admits most applicants. 7 of its 10 closest alternatives admit a larger share of applicants.
Which Winston-Salem State University alternatives cost less?
5 of the 10 closest alternatives have a lower average net price than Winston-Salem State University ($12,817 a year), including Elizabeth City State University ($8,048), Fayetteville State University ($8,500), and North Carolina A & T State University ($9,884). Net price is what first-time, full-time students paid after grants; your own price depends on family income.
