Salem College vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee Technological University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (10,511 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Salem College vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University than Salem College ($15,336 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Technological University are 3% lower than at Salem College ($13,302 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 197.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $22,472 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 117.3% higher at Salem College than at Tennessee Technological University (about $18,272 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $15,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Tennessee Technological University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 186.9% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($30,001 vs. $10,458).

Salem College vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Tennessee Tech (76.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Salem College vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Technological University's (50%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($16,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($165 vs. $279).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.