Salem College vs. WCU

Salem College and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Salem College
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Salem College (76.7% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1150 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $18,668 at Salem College.
  • Graduation: Salem College 53% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salem College $35,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Salem College Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Salem College more selective
Salem College76.7%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Salem College1066-1243
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $4,901 less
Salem College$18,668
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $29,218 less
Salem College$33,848
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $25,218 less
Salem College$33,848
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
Salem College +3 pts
Salem College53%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$4,100
Salem College$35,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salem College 2,246
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Salem College 1,722
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salem College 76.7%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salem College 7.9%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salem College 1150
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salem College 19
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salem College 3.3
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salem College B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Salem College Very Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Salem College
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Salem College 1066-1243
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Salem College 16-22
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Salem College Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salem College
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salem College $33,848
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salem College $33,848
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Salem College $13,710
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Salem College $18,668
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Salem College $30,001
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salem College 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salem College 53%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salem College $35,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salem College 53%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salem College $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Salem College $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salem College 9:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salem College
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Salem College Winston-Salem, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Salem College Midsize City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Salem College 549
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Salem College Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salem College
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 549 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 9.9% lower than at Salem College ($12,354 vs. $13,710).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 292.2% higher at Salem College than at Western Carolina University (about $25,218 more per year; $33,848 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 400.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($30,001 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at WCU than at Salem College (22 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salem College and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Salem College (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 53%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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