Salem College vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

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

Salem College is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (549 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

Salem College vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington ($18,668 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 10.2% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($13,710 vs. $15,274).
• Salem College is 134.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $19,440 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.3% higher at Salem College than at Penn State New Kensington (about $9,714 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $24,134.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Penn State New Kensington (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 284.2% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($30,001 vs. $7,809).

Salem College vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 40 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• 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; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

Salem College vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State New Kensington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.