Guilford College vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, NC with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Guilford College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,180 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Guilford College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Guilford College 12:1; Salem College 9:1.

Guilford College vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 Guilford College ($18,668 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 2.3% lower than at Salem College ($13,400 vs. $13,710).
• Guilford College is 22.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $7,514 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Guilford College than at Salem College (about $7,514 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($33,419 vs. $30,001).

Guilford College vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Guilford College (1190) is 40 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Guilford College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Guilford College vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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).

• Guilford College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Guilford College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Guilford College graduates have a $365 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,635 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Guilford College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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.