Salem College vs. Columbia International University

Should I go to Salem College or Columbia International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Salem College or Columbia International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Salem College vs. Columbia International University comparison
Salem College Columbia International University College 3 College 4
Salem College
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Overview

 Salem College Columbia International University
Location Winston Salem, NC Columbia, SC
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 469 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #705
Religious Affiliation Moravian Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salem.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Salem College Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $30,500 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $30,500 $25,620
Room & Board $12,300 $9,950
Avg Net Price $18,354 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $30,048 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 Salem College Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,159 506
Admitted 1,014 244
Acceptance Rate 87.5% 48.2%
Enrolled % 9% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/21 16/25
SAT Range 1053/1200 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

 Salem College Columbia International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 Salem College Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 53% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,000 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

 Salem College Columbia International University
% Men 3% 46%
% Women 97% 54%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 55% 72%
% Black 22% 10%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 6%

Students

 Salem College Columbia International University
% In-State 78% 59%
% Out-of-State 22% 38%

Campus

 Salem College Columbia International University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia International University is larger than than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,481 students vs. 469 students)

Salem College vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Columbia International University?

  • Salem College is 19% more expensive to attend than Columbia International University for in-state tuition ($30,500.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19% higher at Salem College than Columbia International University ($30,500.00 vs. $25,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem College than Columbia International University ($18,354 vs. $19,911)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 23.6% lower than costs at Salem College ($9,950 vs. $12,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem College than Columbia International University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 59.5% larger than aid received Columbia International University ($30,048 vs. $18,834)

Salem College vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Columbia International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia International University or Salem College .

  • The average SAT score at Salem College (1119) is 74 points higher than at Columbia International University (1045)
  • Incoming Salem College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Columbia International University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Salem College (3.3)
  • Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

Salem College vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem College or Columbia International University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia International University and Salem College.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Salem College (57% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Salem College earn on average $1,600 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($35,000 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Salem College graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/