Salem College vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salem College vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($18,668 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 0.8% lower than at Salem College ($13,600 vs. $13,710).
• Chatham University is 31.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $10,778 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.8% higher at Chatham than at Salem College (about $10,778 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Chatham University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($30,095 vs. $30,001).

Salem College vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Chatham? 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 Chatham and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Chatham students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Salem College vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Chatham? 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Chatham University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.