Saint Mary's College of California vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Salem College 9:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California ($18,668 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 22.1% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($13,710 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 70.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $23,955 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.8% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Salem College (about $23,955 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 41.4% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($42,407 vs. $30,001).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 10 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California 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: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California 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).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.