Salem College vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

Roanoke College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salem College vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Roanoke College? 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 Roanoke College ($18,668 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 10.8% lower than at Roanoke College ($13,710 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $4,220 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at Roanoke College than at Salem College (about $4,220 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Roanoke College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Roanoke College students ($30,001 vs. $28,188).

Salem College vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Roanoke College (1200) is 50 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Salem College vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Roanoke College and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Roanoke College and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College 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.