Exploring Winston-Salem's College Scene

A good life often starts with a good education. It’s a belief the early Moravian settlers established in Winston-Salem centuries ago, and it’s one that continues to drive the city today. Recently named one of the "Top college towns in the South" by Southern Living, our city is home to six higher-education institutes and over 30,000 college students. Come along for a quick campus tour; we’ll also suggest activities that give you a true taste of the undergraduate experience.

Salem College 

Fast Facts

• Founded: 1772
• Enrollment: 650
• Mascot: Spirits
• Did You Know: Salem College is the oldest female college in America, dating back over 250 years.
• Who went here? Sarah Covington Fulcher: world record-holding runner; Sarah Childress Polk: first lady; wife of James. K. Polk; Celia Weston: actress ("The Talented Mr. Ripley")

Salem College is a private liberal arts women’s college situated in Old Salem, just south of downtown. It stands today as the oldest educational institute for women in the nation, having celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2022. Salem’s campus includes a mix of historic and modern facilities, from its stately Main Hall (built in 1772) to its state-of-the-art Student Center. The college offers undergrad programs in 35+ majors as well as graduate programs in fields such as education, counseling and music. Salem prides itself on service and social justice.

• What to see: College's rolling 57-acre campus is among the most picturesque settings in the South, with countless backdrop options. But the most unique feature is the May Dell, a naturally occurring amphitheater with a spring-fed brook running through the bottom. It's been the site of graduation ceremonies at Salem College for centuries.
• What to do: The Single Sisters House Museum, built in 1765 across from Salem Square in Old Salem, is the oldest building on a college campus in North Carolina. Today, it houses a fascinating museum space open to visitors, serving as a testament to the enduring importance of equal education and opportunity for girls and women.

Wake Forest University

Fast Facts

• Founded: 1834 (moved to WS in 1954)
• Enrollment:  9,150
• Mascot: Demon Deacons
• Did You Know: Wake Forest was voted #1 in BestCollegeReview.com's ranking of "prettiest fall campuses in America."
• Who went here? Mugsy Bogues: shortest NBA player of all time * David Chase: TV writer and producer (The Sopranos) * Arnold Palmer: golfing legend and Masters champion * Carroll O'Connor: actor (All in the Family) * Maya Angelou: world-famous poet, actress, activist, and professor at WFU

Wake Forest University, founded in 1834, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. Its stately Georgian architecture and well-manicured lawns have long been considered one of the nation’s most picturesque campuses. Academically, Wake Forest has a strong focus on liberal arts and emphasizes critical thinking across all disciplines. It also features nationally ranked graduate programs in business, law, medicine and divinity. Students are encouraged to serve others and embody the school’s long-held motto “Pro Humanitate” (For Humanity).

• What to see: Hearn Plaza, or "The Quad," is the iconic centerpiece of Wake Forest University and offers a quintessential campus experience. In addition to the campus bookstore and Deacon Shop, the green space is home to many of the campus's most iconic buildings. This includes Wait Chapel, WFU's 220-foot-tall landmark that hosted multiple presidential debates.
• What to do: The Lam Museum of Anthropology is North Carolina’s only museum dedicated to exploring ancient global cultures, offering a mix of permanent, rotating, and virtual exhibits. It also hosts family-friendly events year-round, highlighted by the annual Day of the Dead exhibit each fall. Admission is free.

Winston-Salem State University

Fast Facts

• Founded: 1892
• Enrollment: 5,200
• Mascot: Rams
• Did You Know: WSSU was voted the #1 HBCU in the Southeast for “Best Bang for the Buck” for 2023-24 by Money Magazine
• Who went here? Louis Farrakhan: leader of the Nation of Islam; organizer of 1995’s Million Man March * Earl "The Pearl" Monroe: NBA legend * Stephen A. Smith: Well-known ESPN commentator

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is a public HBCU whose 117-acre campus sits a mile east of downtown. Founded in 1892, WSSU is known for its strong programs in healthcare, education and STEM fields, offering more than 40 majors and several prestigious graduate programs, particularly in nursing and occupational therapy. In addition to its excellent academic reputation, WSSU has a long-standing tradition of excellence in athletics. It has been a longtime member of the CIAA conference, and it has several national championships to its credit.

• What to see: The Clocktower is an Instagram-ready landmark right in the center of campus. It features seating all around, a bell that tolls every hour, and features quotes from civil rights activists Maya Angelou and Benjamin E. Mays, among others. 
• What to do: Diggs Gallery, on the lower level of C.G. O'Kelly Library, is a must-see, offering one of the largest exhibition spaces dedicated to the arts of Africa and the African Diaspora in the Southeast. While the gallery is currently closed for repairs, you can still enjoy several components, such as the stunning "Biggers murals" in the library atrium, each 30 feet tall, and the gallery's outdoor sculpture garden.

UNC School of the Arts

Fast Facts

• Founded: 1963
• Enrollment: 1,350
• Mascot: Fighting Pickles
• Did you know: UNCSA's School of Filmmaking (pictured above) and School of Drama are both ranked among the top five in the nation per Hollywood Reporter. 
• Who went here? There are way too many famous alums to name, but a few worth noting include Danny McBride: Actor and screenwriter (Pineapple Express, Eastbound and Down) * Mary-Louise Parker: actress (Weeds) * Chris Parnell: Actor and comedian (SNL) * Jada Pinkett-Smith: actress and podcaster * Anthony Mackie: actor (Marvel's Avengers) * Terrance Mann: legendary Broadway actor and director (Cats, Les Misérables)

UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) was founded in 1963 as America’s first publicly funded college for the arts. Its rolling 80-acre campus sits a mile south of downtown in the Historic Washington Park neighborhood. Degrees are offered in five key areas — dance, drama, filmmaking, music and design. The faculty is made up of professional artists who are active in their respective fields, and many UNCSA grads have gone on to become award-winning musicians, actors and filmmakers. In addition to on-campus productions, the school holds dozens of performances in the community each year, highlighted by its beloved rendition of “The Nutcracker” each December.

• What to see The home base for UNCSA's Filmmaking School is "Studio Village," designed to look like a mini-Hollywood Boulevard. It features sound stages, a film-scoring building, media labs, and the flat iron-shaped ACE Theatre.
• What to do: Dozens of free public performances are held both on campus and throughout the community, from student film screenings to symphony concerts to the annual Spring and Winter Dance recitals (pictured above). Check out the school performance calendar for a full slate of concerts, plays and performances — and watch for the quadrennial all-school musical, a Broadway-scale production that has spawned touring productions and brought theater legends to campus.

Carolina University

• Founded: 1945
• Enrollment: 1,100 (on campus)
• Mascot: Bruins

Carolina University, formerly known as Piedmont International University, is a private Christian college located in the southwest corner of downtown near Truist Stadium. The university emphasizes Christian values, spiritual growth, and integration of the worldview in all areas of study.  The school offers four men’s sports (baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball) and women’s sports (basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball) at the NAIA level, along with esports.

Having doubled its enrollment in recent years, the university announced an ambitious relocation plan recently, purchasing a 125-acre tract at 1000 E. Hanes Mill Road. The land is the former headquarters site of Hanesbrands Inc., which is relocating operations downtown. Construction is underway at the new site as it transform from industrial headquarters into a college campus, with new dorms, classrooms, and sports facilities being added as well as walking trails, a prayer garden, and on-campus museum. Carolina officials plan to hold classes at the new site as early as 2025.

Forsyth Tech

• Founded: 1960
• Enrollment: 11,000 (credit students)
• Mascot: Trailblazers

Forsyth Technical Community College has grown to become one of the largest community colleges in North Carolina, with an enrollment of over 11,000 credit students and over 24,000 Corporate and Continuing Education students. Located along Silas Creek Parkway, Forsyth Tech offers many academic programs, including associate degrees and technical diplomas. In addition, the school features several continuing education and workforce development programs for adults. An annual high point on the FTCC calendar is the pinning ceremony for nursing graduates. As part of commencement, the event celebrates the completion of new nurses’ college careers and the commencement of their professional ones.

Forsyth Tech recently announced that it is adding athletic programs for the 2025-26 season, specifically men’s basketball and women’s volleyball. Both teams will play in the gym on the college’s West campus, off Bolton Street. The teams will be the Trailblazers and the mascot will be Blaze, a two-toned gray fox native to this part of North Carolina. The college has also recently launched an esports program, with plans to develop competitive teams later in the academic year.