Salem College vs. SWU

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Wesleyan University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (980 students vs. 549 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Southern Wesleyan University is in Central, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Southern Wesleyan University 10:1.

Salem College vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or SWU? 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 SWU ($18,668 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 26.1% lower than at Salem College ($10,126 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SWU (about $4,048 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at Salem College than at Southern Wesleyan University (about $4,048 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $29,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Southern Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 53.9% larger than aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students ($30,001 vs. $19,498).

Salem College vs. SWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or SWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SWU and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 20 points higher than at SWU (1130).
• Incoming SWU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Salem College 1066/1243; Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Salem College 16/22; Southern Wesleyan University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; SWU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 33.4% at SWU.

Salem College vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and SWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Salem College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Southern Wesleyan University's (42%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Wesleyan University and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Southern Wesleyan University and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 50%)

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.