Saint Benedict vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Saint Benedict is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,429 students vs. 549 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Saint Benedict is located in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Saint Benedict 11:1; Salem College 9:1.

Saint Benedict vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Benedict 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 Salem College than Saint Benedict ($18,668 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Benedict are 8.5% lower than at Salem College ($12,550 vs. $13,710).
• College of Saint Benedict is 64.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $21,908 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.7% higher at Saint Benedict than at Salem College (about $21,908 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 33.5% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($40,048 vs. $30,001).

Saint Benedict vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Benedict or Salem College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Salem College and Saint Benedict.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Saint Benedict (1140).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: College of Saint Benedict 20/27; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Benedict - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Saint Benedict vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Saint Benedict vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Benedict and Salem College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Benedict graduates have a $657 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,343 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Benedict graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($272 vs. $279).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.