Salem College vs. Point Park University

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Point Park University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (3,448 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Point Park University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Point Park University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Point Park University 12:1.

Salem College vs. Point Park University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Point Park 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 Point Park University ($18,668 vs. $26,502).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 1.8% lower than at Point Park University ($13,710 vs. $13,960).
• Point Park University is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $5,722 more per year; $39,570.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Point Park University than at Salem College (about $5,722 more per year; $39,570.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Point Park University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Point Park University students ($30,001 vs. $26,159).

Salem College vs. Point Park University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Point Park 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 Point Park University and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Point Park University (1140).
• Incoming Point Park University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Point Park University 1035/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Point Park University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Point Park University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Point Park University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Point Park University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 10.2% at Point Park University.

Salem College vs. Point Park University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Point Park 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 Point Park University's (50%).
• Graduates from Point Park University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Point Park University and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Point Park University and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Point Park University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College 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.