Salem College vs. Northwest University

Should I go to Salem College or Northwest University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Salem College or Northwest University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Salem College vs. Northwest University comparison
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Salem College Northwest University
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Overview

Salem College Northwest University
Location Winston Salem, NC Kirkland, WA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 519 999
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Moravian Church Assemblies of God Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salem.edu northwestu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem College Northwest University
Tuition (In State) $31,720 $35,535
Tuition (Out of State) $31,720 $35,535
Room & Board $13,056 $10,648
Avg Net Price $19,000 $25,917
Avg Grant Aid $28,860 $21,864
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Salem College Northwest University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,951 586
Admitted 1,698 516
Acceptance Rate 87% 88.1%
Enrolled % 9.2% 29.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/27 24/29
SAT Range 1078/1315 1040/1325
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Salem College Northwest University
Student to Faculty Ratio 7:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (23%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Communication (10%)

Outcomes

Salem College Northwest University
Graduation Rate 53% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,000 $41,400
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,532
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Salem College Northwest University
% Men 2% 12%
% Women 14% 21%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 55% 69%
% Black 22% 5%
% Hispanic 12% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 5%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Salem College Northwest University
% In-State 78% 79%
% Out-of-State 22% 18%

Campus

Salem College Northwest University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwest University is larger than than Salem College based on total student enrollment (999 students vs. 519 students)

Salem College vs. Northwest University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Northwest University?

  • Northwest University is 12% more expensive to attend than Salem College for in-state tuition ($35,535.00 vs. $31,720.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 12% higher at Northwest University than Salem College ($35,535.00 vs. $31,720.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem College than Northwest University ($19,000 vs. $25,917)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest University are 22.6% lower than costs at Salem College ($10,648 vs. $13,056)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem College than Northwest University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 32% larger than aid received Northwest University ($28,860 vs. $21,864)

Salem College vs. Northwest University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Northwest University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Northwest University or Salem College .

  • The average SAT score at Salem College (1119) is 123 points higher than at Northwest University (996)
  • Incoming Salem College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Northwest University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northwest University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Salem College (3.3)
  • Northwest University has a higher acceptance rate (88.1%) than Salem College (87%)

Salem College vs. Northwest University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem College or Northwest University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Northwest University and Salem College.

  • The graduation rate at Salem College is higher than Northwest University (53% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Northwest University earn on average $6,400 more per year than Salem College graduates after ten years. ($41,400 vs. $35,000)
  • Northwest University students graduate with a $5,468 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem College graduates. ($21,532 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwest University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Salem College graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Northwest University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/