North Carolina Wesleyan University vs. Salem University

Deciding between North Carolina Wesleyan University and Salem University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC
  • Salem University Salem, WV
  • Setting
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Small City
  • Salem University Distant Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 1,419
  • Salem University 1,083
  • Type
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • Salem University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University #961
  • Salem University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University United Methodist
  • Salem University -
  • Status
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Salem University For-profit
  • Team Colors
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University
  • Salem University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $35,736
  • Salem University $11,900
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $35,736
  • Salem University $11,900
  • Room & Board
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $13,348
  • Salem University $8,400
  • Average Net Price
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $18,472
  • Salem University $10,231
  • Average Grant Aid
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $31,552
  • Salem University $8,569
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 100%
  • Salem University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Calculate
  • Salem University Calculate
  • Applied
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 1,856
  • Salem University -
  • Admitted
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 1,489
  • Salem University -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 80.2%
  • Salem University Open
  • Enrolled
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 17.5%
  • Salem University Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 990
  • Salem University
  • Typical ACT score
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 18
  • Salem University
  • Average High School GPA
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 3.2
  • Salem University -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University B+
  • Salem University -
  • Admissions Standards
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Extremely Easy
  • Salem University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University
  • Salem University
  • ACT Range
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 15/21
  • Salem University
  • SAT Range
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 860/1120
  • Salem University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Test-free
  • Salem University Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University
  • Salem University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 13:1
  • Salem University 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University
    • Business (41%)
    • Psychology (15%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Salem University
    • Business (78%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
    • Education (4%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 22%
  • Salem University 14%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $43,200
  • Salem University $33,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 39%
  • Salem University 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $22,718
  • Salem University $26,618
  • Median Loan Payment
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University $234
  • Salem University $275
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 45%
  • Salem University 36%
  • % Women
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 55%
  • Salem University 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University High
  • Salem University High
  • HBCU
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University No
  • Salem University No
  • % White
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 32%
  • Salem University 39%
  • % Asian
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 1%
  • Salem University 1%
  • % Black
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 46%
  • Salem University 24%
  • % Hispanic
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 2%
  • Salem University 9%
  • % Native American
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 1%
  • Salem University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 0%
  • Salem University 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 2%
  • Salem University 2%
  • % International
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 5%
  • Salem University 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 11%
  • Salem University 17%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 64%
  • Salem University 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University 21%
  • Salem University 32%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Yes
  • Salem University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Yes
  • Salem University No
  • Meal Plan
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Yes
  • Salem University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Yes
  • Salem University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University No
  • Salem University No
  • Learn More
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University Details
  • Salem University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount, NC with Salem University in Salem, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Wesleyan University is larger than Salem University based on total student enrollment (1,419 students vs. 1,083 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Carolina Wesleyan University is located in Rocky Mount, NC (Small City setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina Wesleyan University 13:1; Salem University 19:1.

North Carolina Wesleyan University vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Carolina Wesleyan University 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University ($10,231 vs. $18,472).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 37.1% lower than at North Carolina Wesleyan University ($8,400 vs. $13,348).
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University is 200.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $23,836 more per year; $35,736.00 vs. $11,900.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 200.3% higher at North Carolina Wesleyan University than at Salem University (about $23,836 more per year; $35,736.00 vs. $11,900.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina Wesleyan University as at Salem University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Wesleyan University students is 268.2% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($31,552 vs. $8,569).

North Carolina Wesleyan University vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Carolina Wesleyan University 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University.

  • Salem University reports an open admissions policy.
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Wesleyan University 860/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina Wesleyan University 15/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Carolina Wesleyan University - Test-free; Salem University - Open admission.

North Carolina Wesleyan University vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Carolina Wesleyan University 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).

  • North Carolina Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (22%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
  • Graduates from North Carolina Wesleyan University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Salem University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,200 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have a $3,900 lower median loan debt than Salem University graduates ($22,718 vs. $26,618).
  • Among borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem University graduates ($234 vs. $275).
  • More North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 27%)

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.