Salem College vs. Elizabethtown College

Comparable Facts

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

Elizabethtown College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,283 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Elizabethtown College is in Elizabethtown, PA (Town Fringe setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elizabethtown College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Elizabethtown College 13:1.

Salem College vs. Elizabethtown College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown College ($18,668 vs. $27,760).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabethtown College are 2.7% lower than at Salem College ($13,340 vs. $13,710).
• Elizabethtown College is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $4,102 more per year; $37,950.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Elizabethtown College than at Salem College (about $4,102 more per year; $37,950.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Elizabethtown College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 30.1% larger than aid received by Elizabethtown College students ($30,001 vs. $23,064).

Salem College vs. Elizabethtown College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elizabethtown College (1210) is 60 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Elizabethtown College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Elizabethtown College 1105/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Elizabethtown College 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Elizabethtown College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Elizabethtown College students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Elizabethtown College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 17.6% at Elizabethtown College.

Salem College vs. Elizabethtown College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Elizabethtown 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).

• Elizabethtown College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Elizabethtown College earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabethtown College and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Elizabethtown College and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Elizabethtown College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.