Salem College vs. PC

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Presbyterian College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,095 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Presbyterian College is in Clinton, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Presbyterian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Presbyterian College 11:1.

Salem College vs. PC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or PC? 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 PC ($18,668 vs. $20,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Presbyterian College are 1% lower than at Salem College ($13,579 vs. $13,710).
• Presbyterian College is 32.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $11,062 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at PC than at Salem College (about $11,062 more per year; $44,910.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Presbyterian College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Presbyterian College students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($39,345 vs. $30,001).

Salem College vs. PC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 60 points higher than at PC (1090).
• Incoming PC 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; Presbyterian College 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Presbyterian College 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; PC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: PC Sep 21, 2026.
• Accepted freshman PC students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than PC (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 11.6% at PC.

Salem College vs. PC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and PC? 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).

• Presbyterian College's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Presbyterian College earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Presbyterian College graduates have a $892 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,108 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($269 vs. $279).
• More PC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.