Central College vs. Salem College

Should I go to Central College or Salem College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or Salem College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Central College vs. Salem College comparison
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Central College Salem College
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Overview

Central College Salem College
Location Pella, IA Winston Salem, NC
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,169 469
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #519
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America Moravian Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu salem.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central College Salem College
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $30,500
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $30,500
Room & Board $10,860 $12,300
Avg Net Price $23,303 $18,354
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $30,048
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Central College Salem College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 1,159
Admitted 1,561 1,014
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 87.5%
Enrolled % 22.5% 9%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 17/21
SAT Range 1040/1218 1053/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Central College Salem College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)

Outcomes

Central College Salem College
Graduation Rate 63% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $35,000
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Central College Salem College
% Men 52% 3%
% Women 48% 97%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 87% 55%
% Black 2% 22%
% Hispanic 4% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

Central College Salem College
% In-State 73% 78%
% Out-of-State 26% 22%

Campus

Central College Salem College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central College is larger than than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,169 students vs. 469 students)

Central College vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Salem College?

  • Salem College is 54% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($30,500.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54% higher at Salem College than Central College ($30,500.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem College than Central College ($18,354 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 13.3% lower than costs at Salem College ($10,860 vs. $12,300)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as Salem College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 173.2% larger than aid received Central College ($30,048 vs. $10,999)

Central College vs. Salem College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Salem College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Salem College or Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Salem College (1119) is 51 points higher than at Central College (1068)
  • Incoming Salem College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Central College (23)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Salem College (3.3)
  • Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Central College (79.2%)

Central College vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or Salem College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Salem College and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Salem College (63% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $13,000 more per year than Salem College graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $35,000)
  • Salem College and Central College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Salem College and Central College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/