Salem College vs. Saint Francis University

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Francis University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (2,963 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Saint Francis University is in Loretto, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Francis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Saint Francis University 16:1.

Salem College vs. Saint Francis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University ($18,668 vs. $28,326).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Francis University are 1.5% lower than at Salem College ($13,500 vs. $13,710).
• Saint Francis University is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $10,152 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at Saint Francis University than at Salem College (about $10,152 more per year; $44,000.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Saint Francis University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Francis University students is 5.4% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($31,610 vs. $30,001).

Salem College vs. Saint Francis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Saint Francis 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 Saint Francis University and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 10 points higher than at Saint Francis University (1140).
• Incoming Saint Francis University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Saint Francis University 1050/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Saint Francis University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Saint Francis University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Francis University students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Saint Francis University has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 19.6% at Saint Francis University.

Salem College vs. Saint Francis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Saint Francis 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).

• Saint Francis University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Saint Francis University earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Francis University and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saint Francis University and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Saint Francis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.