Salem College vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Citadel Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (3,793 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Citadel Military College of South Carolina is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Citadel Military College of South Carolina is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 11:1.

Salem College vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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 Citadel Military College of South Carolina ($18,668 vs. $22,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are 29.2% lower than at Salem College ($9,705 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 169.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (about $21,278 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $12,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Citadel Military College of South Carolina than at Salem College (about $4,660 more per year; $38,508.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 82.1% larger than aid received by Citadel Military College of South Carolina students ($30,001 vs. $16,473).

Salem College vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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 Citadel Military College of South Carolina and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1190) is 40 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 1085/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Citadel Military College of South Carolina 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Citadel Military College of South Carolina - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Citadel Military College of South Carolina students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Citadel Military College of South Carolina (22.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 90.9% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

Salem College vs. Citadel Military College of South Carolina Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Citadel Military College of South Carolina? 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).

• Citadel Military College of South Carolina's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have a $3,188 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($23,812 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.