WSSU ascends rankings in U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2025

Winston-Salem State University earned impressive rankings in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2025. WSSU was recognized among top public colleges and universities, best HBCUs, social mobility, and the nursing program.

The most significant achievement is WSSU’s surge ahead by 40 spots in the national universities ranking, climbing from No. 260 in 2024 to No. 220 in 2025. This marks the highest ranking WSSU has ever received in this category.

The national rankings include both public and private universities, meaning that top spots are typically claimed by elite and Ivy League institutions.

U.S. News develops its Best Colleges rankings using various metrics, including student-to-faculty ratios, bachelor’s degrees conferred, and graduates' starting salaries with minimal debt.

 Notable rankings for WSSU include:

• No. 1 HBCU in North Carolina on the list of top public colleges and universities.
• No. 2 HBCU in North Carolina for social mobility.
• No. 2 HBCU nursing program in North Carolina.
• No. 12 HBCU in the U.S.

WSSU consistently garners top honors for social mobility, which means that our graduates gain knowledge, skills, and opportunities that help them move up to higher-income levels, get rewarding jobs, and enjoy a higher standard of living. Earning a degree from WSSU helps students earn greater success and stability in life.

The WSSU School of Nursing, which is the top producer of Black nurses in North Carolina, ranks No. 2 HBCU nursing program in the state.

“WSSU’s remarkable rise in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges ranking is a testament to our sustained commitment to provide the best possible education and outcomes for our student population,” said WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown. “Our faculty and staff are zealous in our efforts to ensure that students experience upward economic mobility for having entrusted us with their academic pursuits and are positioned to command their respective fields upon graduation with competence and confidence.”