Salem College vs. ETSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); East Tennessee State University is in Johnson City, TN (Small City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. East Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; East Tennessee State University 15:1.

Salem College vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University than Salem College ($16,286 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 23% lower than at Salem College ($10,554 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 223.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ETSU (about $23,376 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $10,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.1% higher at Salem College than at East Tennessee State University (about $19,326 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $14,522.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 197% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($30,001 vs. $10,101).

Salem College vs. ETSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or ETSU? 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 ETSU and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 60 points higher than at ETSU (1090).
• Incoming ETSU 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; East Tennessee State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; East Tennessee State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; ETSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ETSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• ETSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Salem College vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and ETSU? 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 East Tennessee State University's (44%).
• Graduates from East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

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.