Winston-Salem State University vs Belmont Abbey College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Belmont Abbey College comes closer — median earnings $47,937 against a $98,556 total, vs $45,344 at Winston-Salem State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Winston-Salem State University | Belmont Abbey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,479 | $24,639 |
| Total net cost | $53,916 | $98,556 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,344 | $47,937 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$114,236 | -$107,016 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Winston-Salem State University or Belmont Abbey College?
Winston-Salem State University, at $13,479 a year after aid versus $24,639 — a gap of $11,160 a year, or $44,640 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Winston-Salem State University or Belmont Abbey College graduates earn more?
Belmont Abbey College graduates report a median $47,937 ten years after entry, $2,593 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Winston-Salem State University or Belmont Abbey College?
Winston-Salem State University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Belmont Abbey College, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
47% of students finish at Winston-Salem State University, against 47% at Belmont Abbey 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.