Head-to-head comparison
Winston-Salem State University vs Barton College: which has better ROI?
Option A Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem State University
- Net price / year
- $13,479
- Earnings, 10 years
- $45,344
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Wilson, NC
Barton College
- Net price / year
- $23,626
- Earnings, 10 years
- $47,913
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Barton College comes closer — median earnings $47,913 against a $94,504 total, vs $45,344 at Winston-Salem State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Winston-Salem State University | Barton College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,479 | $23,626 |
| Total net cost | $53,916 | $94,504 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,344 | $47,913 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $25,877 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$114,236 | -$103,444 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Winston-Salem State University or Barton College?
Winston-Salem State University, at $13,479 a year after aid versus $23,626 — a gap of $10,147 a year, or $40,588 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Winston-Salem State University or Barton College graduates earn more?
Barton College graduates report a median $47,913 ten years after entry, $2,569 more than the $45,344 at Winston-Salem State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Winston-Salem State University or Barton College?
Winston-Salem State University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $25,877 at Barton College, a difference of $877. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
47% of students finish at Winston-Salem State University, against 46% at Barton College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.