Colleges in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
9 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 9 colleges and universities in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (4 Private nonprofit, 3 Public, 2 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 9 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $16,503 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 46.7%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 40% of applicants.
The median net price in Winston-Salem runs about $1,823 higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $14,680.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Winston-Salem, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$16,503
After aid
Median grad rate
46.7%
6-year
Median admission rate
40%
Median enrollment
460
Undergrad
All colleges in Winston-Salem
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC | NC | Public, 2-year | $7,200 | 34.2% | Not available | 7,113 | Partial | |
| Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC | NC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $28,719 | 89.1% | 22% | 5,485 | Complete | |
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC | NC | Public, 4-year | $13,479 | 46.7% | 78% | 4,170 | Complete | |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC | NC | Public, 4-year | $14,906 | 77.8% | 30% | 945 | Complete | |
| Carolina University Winston-Salem, NC | NC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $20,828 | 21.6% | 40% | 460 | Complete | |
| Salem College Winston-Salem, NC | NC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $18,277 | 57.4% | 77% | 423 | Complete | |
| Empire Beauty School-Winston-Salem Winston-Salem, NC | NC | Private for-profit, <2-year | $16,503 | 44.0% | Not available | 80 | Partial | |
| Carolina Christian College Winston Salem, NC | NC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $22,366 | 15.4% | Not available | 52 | Complete | |
| Winston Salem Barber School Winston-Salem, NC | NC | Private for-profit, <2-year | $14,610 | 62.7% | Not available | 29 | Partial |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (4)
Private nonprofit colleges in Winston-Salem are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Wake Forest UniversityNet price: $28,719Grad: 89.1%
- Carolina UniversityNet price: $20,828Grad: 21.6%
- Salem CollegeNet price: $18,277Grad: 57.4%
- Carolina Christian CollegeNet price: $22,366Grad: 15.4%
Public (3)
Public colleges in Winston-Salem are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Forsyth Technical Community CollegeNet price: $7,200Grad: 34.2%
- Winston-Salem State UniversityNet price: $13,479Grad: 46.7%
- University of North Carolina School of the ArtsNet price: $14,906Grad: 77.8%
Private for-profit (2)
Private for-profit colleges in Winston-Salem operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Empire Beauty School-Winston-SalemNet price: $16,503Grad: 44.0%
- Winston Salem Barber SchoolNet price: $14,610Grad: 62.7%
Top programs in Winston-Salem
Most-completed programs across Winston-Salem colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions18.1% of degrees
- Business13.0% of degrees
- Liberal arts9.8% of degrees
- Social sciences7.3% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts6.5% of degrees
- Biological sciences5.5% of degrees
- Computer science4.8% of degrees
- Psychology4.5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Winston-Salem
Q.How many colleges are in Winston-Salem, North Carolina?
There are 9 colleges and universities in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private nonprofit, 3 Public, 2 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Winston-Salem?
By undergraduate enrollment, Forsyth Technical Community College is the largest institution in Winston-Salem with roughly 7,113 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Winston-Salem?
Based on average net price after aid, Forsyth Technical Community College is the most affordable institution in Winston-Salem at $7,200 per year.
Q.Which Winston-Salem college has the highest graduation rate?
Wake Forest University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Winston-Salem institutions at 89.1%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Winston-Salem?
The median net price across all 9 colleges in Winston-Salem is $16,503 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Winston-Salem?
Across Winston-Salem colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Winston-Salem?
Yes — Winston-Salem includes 3 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in North Carolina
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Winston-Salem that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.