Salem College vs. Wilson College

Comparable Facts

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

Wilson College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,907 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Wilson College is in Chambersburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Wilson College 15:1.

Salem College vs. Wilson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Wilson College? 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 Wilson College ($18,668 vs. $21,748).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilson College are 10.3% lower than at Salem College ($12,296 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilson College (about $6,748 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.9% higher at Salem College than at Wilson College (about $6,748 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $27,100.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Wilson College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 69.2% larger than aid received by Wilson College students ($30,001 vs. $17,736).

Salem College vs. Wilson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 90 points higher than at Wilson College (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Wilson College 930/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Wilson College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilson College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Wilson College has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 21.5% at Wilson College.

Salem College vs. Wilson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Wilson College? 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).

• The graduation rate at Salem College is the same as at Wilson College (53% vs. 53%).
• Graduates from Salem College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Wilson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,000 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilson College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wilson College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More Wilson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.