Salem College vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

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

College of Charleston is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Salem College vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or CofC? 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 CofC ($18,668 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 4.3% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,710 vs. $14,332).
• Salem College is 160.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CofC (about $20,870 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $12,978.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at CofC than at Salem College (about $4,448 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at College of Charleston (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 234% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($30,001 vs. $8,983).

Salem College vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Charleston (1230) is 80 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming CofC students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Salem College vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from College of Charleston earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Charleston graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CofC graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More CofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.