Salem College vs. Hollins College

Comparable Facts

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

Hollins University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (761 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Hollins University is in Roanoke, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hollins University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Hollins University 8:1.

Salem College vs. Hollins College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Hollins 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 Hollins College ($18,668 vs. $22,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 13.2% lower than at Hollins University ($13,710 vs. $15,800).
• Hollins University is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $9,712 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.7% higher at Hollins College than at Salem College (about $9,712 more per year; $43,560.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Hollins University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hollins University students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($36,154 vs. $30,001).

Salem College vs. Hollins College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hollins University (1250) is 100 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Hollins University 1150/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Hollins College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hollins College students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Hollins College (68%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 9.6% at Hollins College.

Salem College vs. Hollins College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Hollins 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).

• Hollins University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Hollins University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hollins University and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hollins University and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Hollins College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.