Salem College vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

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

Cedar Crest College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,290 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salem College vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College ($18,668 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 2.2% lower than at Salem College ($13,406 vs. $13,710).
• Cedar Crest College is 36.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $12,466 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Salem College (about $12,466 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Cedar Crest College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 11.1% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($33,323 vs. $30,001).

Salem College vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 30 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cedar Crest College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

Salem College vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, Salem College graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($279 vs. $286).
• More Cedar Crest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.