S
Private 4 Year

Salem College Admission Requirements

Winston Salem, North Carolina

 2 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Salem College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

87.5%
Admission Difficulty for Salem College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Salem College is 87.5%.  Its admission rate is the 52nd lowest in North Carolina.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Salem College and can you get accepted?

Salem College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,014 out of the 1,159 who applied were admitted.

Salem College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.3. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Salem College?

87% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Salem College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.3 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1130 on the SAT
  • Score 19 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Salem College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.3

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Salem College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Salem College are to have around a 3.3 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.3 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Salem College accepts 87% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Salem College is 3.3 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #30 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Salem College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Salem College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 15.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 11.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 16.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 9.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 4.0% Reach
less than 1.00 4.0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Salem College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Salem College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 13% of students submitted SAT scores and 21% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1053-1200

Applicants Submitting SAT 

13%
SAT Scores for Salem College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 555
Math 25th Percentile 498
Composite 25th Percentile 1053
SAT Scores for Salem College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 605
Math 75th Percentile 595
Composite 75th Percentile 1200
Average SAT Score 1130

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Salem College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Salem College is 1130 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1053-1200. Students who get into Salem College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Salem College ranks #19 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1130 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Salem College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1053 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1053, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 980, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Salem College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1130 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1126, you have around a 87% chance of being admitted. A 1200 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.

Salem College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1200 and Above Good >93%
1126 to 1200 Avg + 87%-93%
1053 to 1126 Avg - 78%-87%
980 to 1053 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 980 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

Salem College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-21 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

21%
ACT Scores for Salem College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 14
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for Salem College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 22
Math 75th Percentile 20
Composite 75th Percentile 21
Average ACT Score 19

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Salem College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Salem College is 19, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 21.  The school ranks #39 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 19. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

21 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Salem College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Salem College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Salem College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 19 score has around 87% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 21 ACT score.

Salem College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
21 and Above Good >93%
19 to 21 Avg + 87%-93%
17 to 19 Avg - 78%-87%
15 to 17 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 15 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

73% of Salem College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 37% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Salem College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 37%
Top 25% of class 73%
Top 50% of class 98%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Salem College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,154 5 1,159
Accepted 1,011 3 1,014
Acceptance Rate 88% 60% 87%
Enrolled 91 0 91
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 0% 9%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Salem College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Salem College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Salem College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Salem College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Salem College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.3 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1130 and ACT of 19 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Salem College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199607 IPEDS survey data for Salem College.

FAQs

Does Salem College prefer SAT or ACT?

13% of students submit their SAT scores to Salem College. 21% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Salem College?

87% of those who apply are granted admission to Salem College. Admission competition is and the college has very easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Salem College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1053 and 1200. The average SAT score is 1126. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Salem College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 17 and 21. The average ACT score is 19. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.