Ogelthorpe vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA with Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oglethorpe University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,425 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oglethorpe University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Oglethorpe University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oglethorpe University 13:1; Salem College 9:1.

Ogelthorpe vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe ($18,668 vs. $20,490).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 13.1% lower than at Oglethorpe University ($13,710 vs. $15,780).
• Oglethorpe University is 40.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $13,742 more per year; $47,590.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.6% higher at Ogelthorpe than at Salem College (about $13,742 more per year; $47,590.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Oglethorpe University as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oglethorpe University students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($39,054 vs. $30,001).

Ogelthorpe vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ogelthorpe 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 Ogelthorpe.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oglethorpe University (1200) is 50 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Ogelthorpe 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: Oglethorpe University 1090/1310; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oglethorpe University 22/31; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ogelthorpe - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ogelthorpe Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ogelthorpe students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Ogelthorpe has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Ogelthorpe vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Ogelthorpe vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ogelthorpe 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).

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Oglethorpe University's (48%).
• Graduates from Oglethorpe University earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem College and Ogelthorpe graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Salem College and Ogelthorpe graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Ogelthorpe graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.