Salem College vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

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

Penn State York is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (677 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Penn State York 14:1.

Salem College vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Penn State York? 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 York ($18,668 vs. $18,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 10.2% lower than at Penn State York ($13,710 vs. $15,274).
• Salem College is 122.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $18,640 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.3% higher at Salem College than at Penn State York (about $8,456 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Penn State York (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 242.6% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($30,001 vs. $8,756).

Salem College vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is the same as at Penn State York (1150).
• Incoming Penn State York 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; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Penn State York - Test optional.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

Salem College vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Penn State York? 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 York's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State York 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 York graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State York graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State York 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.