Salem College vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

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

Old Dominion University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

Salem College vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University than Salem College ($16,419 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 7.9% lower than at Old Dominion University ($13,710 vs. $14,878).
• Salem College is 165.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $21,098 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Salem College than at Old Dominion University (about $68 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $33,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Old Dominion University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 155.5% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($30,001 vs. $11,740).

Salem College vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 40 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at Old Dominion (3.3).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

Salem College vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion University's (50%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Old Dominion students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.