MLC vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Martin Luther College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (878 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Martin Luther College is located in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Martin Luther College 10:1; Salem College 9:1.

MLC vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MLC or Salem College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem College than MLC ($18,668 vs. $18,974).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 42.4% lower than at Salem College ($7,900 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 86.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than MLC (about $15,728 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.8% higher at Salem College than at Martin Luther College (about $15,728 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 192% larger than aid received by Martin Luther College students ($30,001 vs. $10,276).

MLC vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MLC or Salem College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Salem College and MLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 20 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming MLC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Martin Luther College 1078/1256; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Martin Luther College 22/27; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MLC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Salem College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman MLC students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at MLC vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

MLC vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MLC and Salem College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Martin Luther College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.