ECU vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

East Carolina University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Salem College 9:1.

ECU vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Carolina University than Salem College ($13,755 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 15.8% lower than at Salem College ($11,541 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 359.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $26,487 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.2% higher at Salem College than at East Carolina University (about $10,210 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 206.9% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($30,001 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 10 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming ECU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

ECU vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.