Livingstone College vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

Compare Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC with Salem University in Salem, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (1,083 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Livingstone College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Livingstone College 14:1; Salem University 19:1.

Livingstone College vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Livingstone College or Salem University? 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 University than Livingstone College ($10,231 vs. $12,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 19.1% lower than at Salem University ($6,794 vs. $8,400).
• Livingstone College is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $6,396 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Livingstone College than at Salem University (about $6,396 more per year; $18,296.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem University than at Livingstone College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 80.7% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($15,485 vs. $8,569).

Livingstone College vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Livingstone College or Salem University? 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 University and Livingstone College.

• Salem University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Livingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Livingstone College - Test-free; Salem University - Open admission.

Livingstone College vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Livingstone College and Salem University? 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).

• Livingstone College's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Salem University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem University graduates have a $15,382 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($26,618 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem University graduates have an estimated $159 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($275 vs. $434).
• More Salem University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (27% vs. 13%)

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.