Salem College vs. Randolph-Macon

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Randolph Macon College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,687 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Randolph Macon College is in Ashland, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Randolph Macon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Randolph Macon College 11:1.

Salem College vs. Randolph-Macon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Randolph-Macon? 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 Randolph-Macon ($18,668 vs. $28,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 5.7% lower than at Randolph Macon College ($13,710 vs. $14,540).
• Randolph Macon College is 46.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $15,618 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.1% higher at Randolph-Macon than at Salem College (about $15,618 more per year; $49,466.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Randolph Macon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Randolph Macon College students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($34,972 vs. $30,001).

Salem College vs. Randolph-Macon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Randolph-Macon? 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 Randolph-Macon and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 50 points higher than at Randolph-Macon (1100).
• Incoming Randolph-Macon students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Randolph Macon College 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Randolph Macon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Randolph-Macon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Randolph-Macon Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Randolph-Macon students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Randolph-Macon has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 18.9% at Randolph-Macon.

Salem College vs. Randolph-Macon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Randolph-Macon? 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).

• Randolph Macon College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Randolph Macon College earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Randolph Macon College and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Randolph Macon College and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Randolph-Macon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.