Salem College vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Adventist University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (3,229 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Salem College vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University ($18,668 vs. $25,753).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 35.1% lower than at Salem College ($8,900 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 24% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Adventist University (about $6,548 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Salem College than at Southern Adventist University (about $6,548 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 132.5% larger than aid received by Southern Adventist University students ($30,001 vs. $12,904).

Salem College vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Adventist University (1160) is 10 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Southern Adventist University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southern Adventist University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Southern Adventist University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Salem College vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University's (51%).
• Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.