ECSU vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Elizabeth City State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Salem College 9:1.

ECSU vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University than Salem College ($6,483 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 12.6% lower than at Salem College ($11,986 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 417.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $27,312 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 221.3% higher at Salem College than at Elizabeth City State University (about $23,312 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Elizabeth City State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 179.5% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($30,001 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU 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 ECSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 150 points higher than at ECSU (1000).
• Incoming ECSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at Salem College (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

ECSU vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU 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).

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Elizabeth City State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Salem College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,000 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 23%)

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.