ASU vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Appalachian State University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ASU vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or Salem 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 Appalachian State University than Salem College ($14,978 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 6.1% lower than at Salem College ($12,868 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 346.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $26,269 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.3% higher at Salem College than at Appalachian State University (about $8,636 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Appalachian State University (100% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 274.4% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($30,001 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Appalachian State University (1200) is 50 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming ASU 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: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.66 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

ASU vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and Salem 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Appalachian State University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.