Salem College vs. Carson-Newman University

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carson Newman University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,669 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Carson Newman University is in Jefferson City, TN (Small Suburban setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carson Newman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Carson Newman University 12:1.

Salem College vs. Carson-Newman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Carson-Newman University? 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 Carson-Newman University ($18,668 vs. $20,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carson Newman University are 13.9% lower than at Salem College ($11,800 vs. $13,710).
• Carson Newman University is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $852 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Carson-Newman University than at Salem College (about $852 more per year; $34,700.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Carson Newman University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 6.8% larger than aid received by Carson Newman University students ($30,001 vs. $28,090).

Salem College vs. Carson-Newman University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Carson-Newman University? 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 Carson-Newman University and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 60 points higher than at Carson-Newman University (1090).
• Incoming Carson-Newman University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Carson Newman University 955/1215.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Carson Newman University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Carson-Newman University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Carson-Newman University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Carson-Newman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 16.8% at Carson-Newman University.

Salem College vs. Carson-Newman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Carson-Newman University? 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 Carson Newman University's (45%).
• Graduates from Carson Newman University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carson Newman University graduates have a $3,120 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($23,880 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carson-Newman University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Carson-Newman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.