Accounting at Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State's accounting program shows first-year earnings of $45,495—below both the national median ($53,694) and North Carolina's median ($48,489) for accounting graduates. While the debt load of $27,000 is reasonable and slightly above typical levels, the earnings gap is significant: graduates here earn about $11,000 less than peers at NC State and roughly $10,000 less than top-performing in-state options like Appalachian State. The program ranks at the 40th percentile among North Carolina accounting programs, meaning most other state schools produce higher-earning graduates.

The institution serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (61%), which provides important context—this may be one of the few accessible paths to an accounting degree for students from lower-income backgrounds. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means graduates owe about seven months of their first-year salary, which is manageable but not impressive given that accounting typically offers stronger starting salaries. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures.

For families with other in-state options, programs like NC State or Appalachian State offer considerably stronger earnings outcomes at comparable debt levels. However, if accessibility and admission prospects matter—Winston-Salem State's 69% acceptance rate is notably higher than competitors—this could still work as an affordable route into the accounting field, provided your student understands the earnings tradeoff and plans to pursue CPA certification or other credentials that could boost their trajectory.