Montreat College vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Montreat College in Montreat, NC with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montreat College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (962 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montreat College is located in Montreat, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Montreat College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montreat College 11:1; Salem College 9:1.

Montreat College vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Montreat College 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 Montreat College ($18,668 vs. $28,112).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montreat College are 13.3% lower than at Salem College ($11,890 vs. $13,710).
• Montreat College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $2,602 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Montreat College than at Salem College (about $2,602 more per year; $36,450.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Montreat College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 58% larger than aid received by Montreat College students ($30,001 vs. $18,992).

Montreat College vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Montreat College 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 Montreat College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 20 points higher than at Montreat College (1130).
• Incoming Montreat College 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: Montreat College 1030/1220; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Montreat College 21/28; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Montreat College - Test-free; Salem College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Montreat College (3.07).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Montreat College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Montreat College vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Montreat College vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Montreat College 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).

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Montreat College's (35%).
• Graduates from Montreat College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Montreat College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Montreat College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Montreat College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.