Pfeiffer University vs. Salem College

Should I go to Pfeiffer University or Salem College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Pfeiffer University or Salem College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Pfeiffer University vs. Salem College comparison
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Overview

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
Location Misenheimer, NC Winston Salem, NC
Setting Distant Rural Midsize City
Enrollment 1,076 469
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #627
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Moravian Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website pfeiffer.edu salem.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
Tuition (In State) $31,940 $30,500
Tuition (Out of State) $31,940 $30,500
Room & Board $12,520 $12,300
Avg Net Price $21,575 $18,354
Avg Grant Aid $24,926 $30,048
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,299 1,159
Admitted 897 1,014
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 87.5%
Enrolled % 18.4% 9%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25 17/21
SAT Range 891/1165 1053/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (12%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)

Outcomes

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
Graduation Rate 45% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,100 $35,000
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,399 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $231 $279

Diversity

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
% Men 39% 3%
% Women 61% 97%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 52% 55%
% Black 21% 22%
% Hispanic 3% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 1%
% Unknown Race 15% 4%

Students

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
% In-State 72% 78%
% Out-of-State 24% 22%

Campus

 Pfeiffer University Salem College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Pfeiffer University is larger than than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,076 students vs. 469 students)

Pfeiffer University vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pfeiffer University or Salem College?

  • Pfeiffer University is 4.7% more expensive to attend than Salem College for in-state tuition ($31,940.00 vs. $30,500.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.7% higher at Pfeiffer University than Salem College ($31,940.00 vs. $30,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem College than Pfeiffer University ($18,354 vs. $21,575)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 1.8% lower than costs at Pfeiffer University ($12,300 vs. $12,520)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Pfeiffer University as Salem College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 20.5% larger than aid received Pfeiffer University ($30,048 vs. $24,926)

Pfeiffer University vs. Salem College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pfeiffer University or Salem College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Salem College or Pfeiffer University .

  • The average SAT score at Salem College (1119) is 188 points higher than at Pfeiffer University (931)
  • Incoming Salem College students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Pfeiffer University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Pfeiffer University (3.18)
  • Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Pfeiffer University (69.1%)

Pfeiffer University vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Pfeiffer University or Salem College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Salem College and Pfeiffer University.

  • The graduation rate at Salem College is higher than Pfeiffer University (53% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Pfeiffer University earn on average $6,100 more per year than Salem College graduates after ten years. ($41,100 vs. $35,000)
  • Pfeiffer University students graduate with a $4,601 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem College graduates. ($22,399 vs. $27,000)
  • Pfeiffer University graduates are paying $48 less per month on federal student loans than Salem College graduates. ($231 vs. $279)
  • More Pfeiffer University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/