Winston-Salem State University Acceptance Rate
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 9,273
- Admitted
- 6,357
- Yield
- 13.9%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Winston-Salem State University's acceptance rate has risen from 60.2% in 2014–15 to 68.6% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 4,433 to 9,273 (+109%) over that period.
Its 68.6% rate makes Winston-Salem State University more selective than about 64% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 64%.
In 2023–24, women were admitted at a higher rate (69.9% for women vs 65.2% for men, a 4.7-point gap). Winston-Salem State University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 13.9% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 4,433 | 2,667 | 60.2% | 850 |
| 2015–16 | 4,478 | 2,621 | 58.5% | 887 |
| 2016–17 | 5,128 | 3,244 | 63.3% | 952 |
| 2017–18 | 4,295 | 2,859 | 66.6% | 937 |
| 2018–19 | 3,992 | 2,607 | 65.3% | 935 |
| 2019–20 | 4,773 | 3,226 | 67.6% | 967 |
| 2020–21 | 5,182 | 3,758 | 72.5% | 1,007 |
| 2021–22 | 5,419 | 4,415 | 81.5% | 912 |
| 2022–23 | 7,628 | 5,598 | 73.4% | 855 |
| 2023–24 | 9,273 | 6,357 | 68.6% | 883 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 6,641 | 4,643 | 69.9% |
| Men | 2,630 | 1,714 | 65.2% |
| Unknown | 2 | 0 | 0% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 420–530 | 6% |
| SAT Math | 400–520 | |
| ACT Composite | 14–18 | 11% |
How Winston compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Winston-Salem State University's acceptance rate?
Winston-Salem State University's acceptance rate is 68.6% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (6,357 admitted of 9,273 applicants).
Is Winston-Salem State University test optional?
Winston-Salem State University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Winston-Salem State University?
Winston-Salem State University received 9,273 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 6,357.
What SAT score do you need for Winston-Salem State University?
Admitted students at Winston-Salem State University typically scored 420–530 on SAT Reading/Writing and 400–520 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Winston-Salem State University getting harder to get into?
Winston-Salem State University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 60.2% in 2014–15 to 68.6% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.wssu.edu/.