Meredith vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Meredith College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,465 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meredith College is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Meredith College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meredith College 10:1; Salem College 9:1.

Meredith vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Meredith 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 Meredith ($18,668 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meredith College are 3.1% lower than at Salem College ($13,280 vs. $13,710).
• Meredith College is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $11,782 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.8% higher at Meredith than at Salem College (about $11,782 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($33,116 vs. $30,001).

Meredith vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Meredith 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 Meredith.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 70 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 1098/1348; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Meredith College 23/29; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Meredith - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Meredith students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Meredith (74.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Meredith vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Meredith vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Meredith 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).

• Meredith College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Meredith College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Meredith College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Meredith graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.