NC State vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Salem College 9:1.

NC State vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Salem College ($15,522 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 4.3% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,710 vs. $14,332).
• Salem College is 284.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $25,049 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Salem College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $1,001 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 157% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($30,001 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 240 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming NC State students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

NC State vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $22,200 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $6,218 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($20,782 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.