Salem College vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Virginia University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (936 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Salem College vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or SVU? 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 SVU ($18,668 vs. $24,561).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 27.8% lower than at Salem College ($9,894 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 59.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $12,568 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.1% higher at Salem College than at Southern Virginia University (about $12,568 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Southern Virginia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 198.8% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($30,001 vs. $10,041).

Salem College vs. SVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 50 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Incoming SVU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Southern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Salem College vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and SVU? 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 Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Southern Virginia University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More SVU 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.