Salem College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (4,454 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Salem College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or SU? 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 SU ($18,668 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 8.9% lower than at Salem College ($12,490 vs. $13,710).
• Shenandoah University is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $3,102 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at SU than at Salem College (about $3,102 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Shenandoah University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 21.2% larger than aid received by Shenandoah University students ($30,001 vs. $24,747).

Salem College vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 30 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming SU 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; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 16.7% at SU.

Salem College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shenandoah University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.