Salem College vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Roche University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,153 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; La Roche University 11:1.

Salem College vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or LRC? 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 LRC ($18,668 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 2.3% lower than at Salem College ($13,390 vs. $13,710).
• La Roche University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $204 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at LRC than at Salem College (about $204 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at La Roche University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 30% larger than aid received by La Roche University students ($30,001 vs. $23,083).

Salem College vs. LRC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 80 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming Salem College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at LRC (3.2).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 9.8% at LRC.

Salem College vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and LRC? 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 La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, La Roche University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, LRC graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More LRC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.