Winston-Salem State University, originally known as Slater Industrial Academy, was founded on September 28, 1892, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school started with just one teacher and 25 students, operating from a modest one-room frame structure. By 1895, it had gained recognition from the State of North Carolina, and in 1899, it was formally chartered as Slater Industrial and Slater Normal School.
In 1925, the North Carolina General Assembly renamed the institution Winston-Salem Teachers College. The same year, the North Carolina State Board of Education authorised the college to grant degrees in elementary teacher education, making it the first Black institution to offer this specialised training program.
Academics
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) provides a diverse array of academic opportunities, offering more than 40 undergraduate majors along with 10 graduate degree programs. The university serves a student body of approximately 5,200 and employs over 400 faculty members, supported by more than 550 additional staff.
WSSU’s academic structure includes the College of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education; the School of Health Sciences; the division of Graduate and Professional Programs; and University College and Lifelong Learning. Each of these schools and colleges supports the university's mission to deliver high-quality education across a broad spectrum of fields.
What is the Winston-Salem State University US News National Rankings 2025?
The Winston-Salem State University ranks 220 according to the US News National Rankings 2025.
Winston-Salem State University Global Ranking
The University is still awaiting its official rankings from prominent organisations such as QS, Times Higher Education, and US News and World Report. Despite its growing reputation and contributions to academia, the university has not yet been featured in the rankings published by these influential bodies. But it has been ranked at #220 out of 436 national universities of the U.S. News in 2025.
Although the University continues to develop its academic programs and research initiatives, it remains unranked by these major international ranking institutions. The absence of a ranking from QS, Times Higher Education, and US News does not reflect the quality of education or research output but simply indicates that the university has not been formally assessed by these specific agencies.
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