Salem College vs. Liberty University

Comparable Facts

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

Liberty University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (104,327 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Liberty University is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Liberty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Liberty University 18:1.

Salem College vs. Liberty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Liberty University? 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 Liberty University ($18,668 vs. $29,532).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 0.9% lower than at Liberty University ($13,710 vs. $13,835).
• Salem College is 50.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Liberty University (about $11,383 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.7% higher at Salem College than at Liberty University (about $11,383 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $22,465.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Liberty University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 140.2% larger than aid received by Liberty University students ($30,001 vs. $12,489).

Salem College vs. Liberty University Admissions comparison

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

• Liberty University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is the same as at Liberty University (1150).
• Incoming Liberty University 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; Liberty University 1040/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Liberty University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Liberty University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Liberty University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Liberty University has a higher acceptance rate (99%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 24.4% at Liberty University.

Salem College vs. Liberty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Liberty University? 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).

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Liberty University's (47%).
• Graduates from Liberty University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Liberty University graduates have a $2,834 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($24,166 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Liberty University graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($249 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Liberty University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 36%)

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.