Winston Salem State SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
By the Cheetah Prep team · Reviewed July 15, 2026
SAT middle 50 percent
830 to 1020
Half of enrolled students at Winston Salem State scored in this range on the SAT. One quarter scored above 1020, and one quarter below 830.
- Average composite
- 945
- Acceptance rate
- 78.3%
- ACT range
- 15 to 20
- Test policy
- Test optional
- Location
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Undergraduates
- 4,170
Winston Salem State SAT Scores and Admissions
About 78 of every 100 applicants get into Winston Salem State University, an acceptance rate of 78.3% that keeps the door open for most students who apply. If you are checking Winston Salem State SAT scores, the middle 50 percent of admitted students landed between 830 and 1020 in the 2024-2025 data year. That is a wide band, wider than what you see at pickier schools. A 945 sits right at the reported average, so a total near there reads as squarely typical for this class rather than a reach.
The school is a public university in Winston Salem, North Carolina, with about 4,170 students on campus. That mid sized scale means smaller class settings than a big state flagship. Testing is optional here in the most recent federal data, so you can apply without sending a score. Even so, the published numbers give you a real target to aim at. On the section splits, admitted students scored 430 to 520 on Reading and Writing and 400 to 500 on Math. Reading and Writing sets the slightly higher bar. The ACT middle 50 ran from 15 to 20 for students who took that path instead.
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Winston Salem State SAT Score Breakdown by Section
Here is the section by section SAT profile of enrolled students at Winston Salem State, from the federal College Scorecard.
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 430 | 520 |
| Math | 400 | 500 |
| CompositeTotal SAT | 830 | 1020 |
The College Board reports section percentiles, not section averages, so an average is shown for the composite only.
Where this sits on the 400 to 1600 scale
830 to 1020
Winston Salem State Admissions Calculator: What Are Your Chances?
Enter your SAT score and unweighted GPA for an honest read on your chances of getting into Winston Salem State, measured against real enrolled student data instead of a made up percentage.
No SAT score yet? Take the diagnostic and get a real number in about 25 minutes.
How this calculator works: your SAT is compared with Winston Salem State's reported middle 50 percent range from the federal College Scorecard, your GPA is compared with the range admitted students at similarly selective schools typically present, and both are weighed against the school's real acceptance rate. We do not print a made up percent chance. No calculator can see your essays, your course rigor, or your recommendations, and at selective schools those decide close calls. Treat this as an honest read of your academic position, not a prediction.
Chances of Getting Into Winston Salem State by SAT Score
Here is what specific scores mean at Winston Salem State, based on its reported 830 to 1020 middle 50 percent range. Find the row closest to your score, or use the calculator above for a read on your exact numbers. No made up percentages: each verdict is your real position in the enrolled class.
| SAT score | Where it lands | The honest read |
|---|---|---|
| 680 | Well below the 25th percentile | A 680 is well below the 830 to 1020 range at Winston Salem State. On testing alone this score does not keep the application in contention, so raising it is the priority. |
| 780 | Just below the 25th percentile | A 780 falls just short of Winston Salem State's 25th percentile of 830. Some students get in below the range, but they usually bring something exceptional elsewhere in the application. |
| 930 | Inside the middle 50 percent | A 930 sits inside the 830 to 1020 range, matching the profile of enrolled students. This is a competitive score here. |
| 1020 | At the 75th percentile | A 1020 matches the 75th percentile at Winston Salem State, stronger than about 3 out of 4 enrolled students. Testing is a clear strength at this level. |
| 1050 | Above the 75th percentile | A 1050 beats the 75th percentile at Winston Salem State. The score is doing all it can; nothing more is gained by retaking. |
What SAT Score Do You Need for Winston Salem State?
Reading the middle 50 is simple once you know the edges. A total below 830 puts you under the 25th percentile, which means most admitted students scored higher than you did. That does not rule you out at a school that admits 78.3% of applicants, but it does shift more weight onto the rest of your file. A total from 830 to 1020 sits inside the range, right where the typical admit lands. Push above 1020 and you move into the top quarter of the class.
The section splits sharpen the picture. On Reading and Writing, the middle 50 ran 430 to 520, while Math ran 400 to 500. Reading and Writing carries the higher bar by about 20 points on each end. If your reading score is strong, you are already meeting the section that matters more here. If Math is your weaker half, the 400 to 500 window gives you a little more breathing room to work with.
Winston Salem State GPA Requirements
Admitted students at Winston Salem State typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 band. That points to steady work across four years rather than a flawless record. A B average with a few higher marks lands you inside that range without much trouble.
The number on your transcript is not the whole story. Grades earned in rigorous courses count as much as the digit itself, so a 3.2 built from harder classes can read stronger than a 3.5 from lighter ones. If your GPA sits at the lower edge of that band, a strong SAT is the fastest way to offset it. A total near the 1020 top of the middle 50 tells an admissions reader that you can handle college level work, even if a couple of grades slipped along the way. Grades and scores lean on each other here, and one can carry real weight for the other.
Typical admitted GPA
Admitted students at Winston Salem State typically present a GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Steady grades in a reasonable course load are usually enough on the GPA side of the application.
If your GPA sits at or below this range, a strong SAT score is the fastest way to stay competitive, since grades are hard to move late in high school. See where your SAT score really stands and build the plan around the gap.
These are unweighted grades on a 4.0 scale. A school that weights GPA or reports a different scale will show a higher number.
Winston Salem State SAT Testing Policy
Winston Salem State considered scores without requiring them (test optional) in the most recent federal data. Testing policies change year to year, so confirm the current 2026-2027policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit scores.
Should you submit your score?
Submit your score when it is at or above 925, the middle of Winston Salem State's range. If you are below 830, the 25th percentile, consider holding your score and letting your grades, essays, and activities carry the application.
Last verified July 15, 2026
Should You Submit Your SAT Score to Winston Salem State?
Winston Salem State was test optional in the most recent federal data, which turns your score into a strategic choice. The folk theory that applying without scores signals weakness is overstated, but the math of what helps is simple: a score that lands inside or above the admitted range works for you, and a score well below it does not.
930+
Submit
At or above the middle of the admitted range, submitting clearly helps. A real data point beats an open question.
830 to 930
Lean submit
Inside the range, most counselors say send it: you are within the profile of enrolled students, and holding it back leaves the reader guessing.
Below 830
Usually hold it
Below the 25th percentile the score rarely helps at Winston Salem State. Apply without it, or better, close the gap first. Scores can still matter for merit scholarships elsewhere on your list.
Policy as reported for the 2024-2025 cycle. We verified it against Winston Salem State's own site, where any mid cycle change would appear first.
Winston Salem State ACT Scores: Should You Take the SAT or ACT?
The middle 50 percent of enrolled students at Winston Salem State scored between 15 and 20 on the ACT, alongside the 830 to 1020 SAT range. Like nearly every US college, Winston Salem State states no preference between the two tests. The right move is to take whichever test converts higher for you, using the official concordance below, and send that one.
| ACT composite | SAT equivalent |
|---|---|
| 20 | 1030 to 1050 |
| 19 | 990 to 1020 |
| 18 | 960 to 980 |
| 17 | 920 to 950 |
| 16 | 880 to 910 |
SAT equivalents from the official College Board and ACT concordance tables. Highlighted rows fall inside Winston Salem State's ACT middle 50 percent.
How to Get Into Winston Salem State
Set your targets against the actual numbers. Clearing 830 total keeps you inside the middle 50 and in range for Winston Salem State. Aim for the 945 average to sit at the center of the admitted class. Reach past 1020 and you land in the top 25 percent, which helps most if your GPA sits near the 3.0 floor. On the sections, treat 430 on Reading and Writing and 400 on Math as your floor, and 520 and 500 as the stretch marks worth chasing.
Start by finding out where you stand today. A diagnostic shows your current Reading, Writing, and Math scores against these targets so you know the exact gap to close. From there, our score plans map the weeks of practice between your starting point and the number you want. Pick the target that matches your college list, then sit down for your first practice set this week.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Winston Salem State?
Winston Salem State admits about 783 of every 1,000 applicants, and enrolls an undergraduate class of about 4,170. That ratio, not any single cutoff, is what makes the admitted profile look the way it does: when a school turns away 217 of every 1,000 people who apply, the students who get in cluster at the top of every measurable scale.
For perspective against the country as a whole: Winston Salem State's 25th percentile score of 830 already beats roughly 12% of all SAT takers nationally, and its 75th percentile of 1020 sits around the 44th percentile. A score that feels middling on this page is an excellent score almost anywhere else, which is worth remembering when you build the rest of your list.
Colleges Similar to Winston Salem State: Reach, Match, and Safety Options
Real reported ranges from schools students often consider alongside Winston Salem State, ordered by acceptance rate. Odds are compared on acceptance rate first, because a school with a lower SAT average can still be far harder to get into.
| School | SAT middle 50 percent | Acceptance rate | Odds vs Winston Salem State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston Salem State | 830 to 1020 | 78.3% | This page |
| Alcorn State | 670 to 998 | 45.3% | Harder to get into than Winston Salem StateSAT about 91 lower |
| Alabama A&M | 810 to 1040 | 58.0% | Harder to get into than Winston Salem Statesimilar SAT range |
| Elizabeth City State | 920 to 1080 | 64.2% | Similar oddsSAT about 75 higher |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State | 803 to 1036 | 65.5% | Similar oddssimilar SAT range |
| Belmont Abbey | 960 to 1200 | 74.7% | Similar oddsSAT about 155 higher |
| Fayetteville State | 890 to 1090 | 82.2% | Similar oddsSAT about 65 higher |
How Recent Are These Winston Salem State SAT Scores?
Every score, rate, and enrollment figure on this page comes from the US Department of Education College Scorecard, 2024-2025 release, the same federal dataset colleges report into. Testing policy reflects the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. This page was last reviewed July 15, 2026.
Score ranges quoted around the web for Winston Salem State disagree with each other more than you would expect, usually because a site is quoting an older class or an unlabeled estimate. We publish the reported number, label the vintage, and update when the source updates. We also cross checked Winston Salem State's own admissions site, where any change would appear first.
Winston Salem State SAT Scores and GPA: Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need to get into Winston Salem State?
Winston Salem State's middle 50 percent SAT range is 830 to 1020. Aim for at least 830 to be competitive, and 1020 or higher to be a strong applicant. There is no hard cutoff, but a score in or above this range keeps your application in contention.
Is a 830 a good SAT score for Winston Salem State?
A 830 sits at Winston Salem State's 25th percentile, the lower edge of its middle 50 percent range of 830 to 1020. It keeps you in range, but a score closer to 1020 makes your application stronger.
What is the average SAT score at Winston Salem State?
The average composite SAT score at Winston Salem State is 945. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored between 830 and 1020.
Does Winston Salem State require SAT scores?
No. Winston Salem State was test optional in the most recent federal data, so you can apply without SAT scores. Confirm the current 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit.
Is Winston Salem State test optional for 2026-2027?
Winston Salem State was test optional in the most recent federal data, meaning you could apply without scores. Policies change year to year, so verify the 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site.
What ACT score do you need for Winston Salem State?
Winston Salem State's middle 50 percent ACT range is 15 to 20. Aim for at least 15 to be competitive and 20 or higher to be a strong applicant. A strong ACT can stand in for the SAT at Winston Salem State.
What GPA do you need to get into Winston Salem State?
Admitted students at Winston Salem State typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on the 4.0 scale, based on schools with a comparable acceptance rate. Grades earned in rigorous courses matter as much as the number itself, and a strong SAT score is the fastest way to offset a GPA at the lower edge of that range.
What is Winston Salem State's acceptance rate?
Winston Salem State admits about 78.3% of applicants, which makes it less selective. A strong SAT score still helps your application stand out, especially for selective majors, honors programs, and merit scholarships.
What are my chances of getting into Winston Salem State?
Winston Salem State admits about 78.3% of applicants, so your chances depend on where you sit against the admitted pool. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored 830 to 1020 on the SAT and admitted students typically carry an unweighted GPA around 3.0 to 3.5. A score above 1020 puts you in the strongest quarter of the class on testing. Use the admissions calculator on this page to check your own SAT and GPA against Winston Salem State's real numbers.
How can I raise my SAT score for Winston Salem State?
Focus your prep on the section costing you the most points, then follow a study plan built for your target score range. Cheetah Prep has step by step score plans for specific point jumps and unlimited practice questions with worked solutions.
Does Winston Salem State superscore the SAT?
Superscore policies vary by school and change year to year, and Winston Salem State does not report this in the federal data. Check the school's admissions site for its current superscore policy, which tells you whether it combines your best section scores across test dates.
About this page: written and reviewed by the Cheetah Prep team. Last reviewed July 15, 2026.
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