Georgia State vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Georgia State University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (34,944 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Georgia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgia State University 25:1; Salem College 9:1.

Georgia State vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia State 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 Georgia State University than Salem College ($16,854 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia State University are 2.3% lower than at Salem College ($13,392 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 290.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia State (about $25,184 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $8,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.3% higher at Salem College than at Georgia State University (about $9,008 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $24,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Georgia State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 148.9% larger than aid received by Georgia State University students ($30,001 vs. $12,052).

Georgia State vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia State 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 Georgia State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 90 points higher than at Georgia State (1060).
• Incoming Georgia State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 940/1180; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia State University 19/26; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia State - Required; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia State Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia State students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Georgia State vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Georgia State vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia State 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 Georgia State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Georgia State University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia State University graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 45%)

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.