Salem College vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Salem College vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($18,668 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville are 2.6% lower than at Salem College ($13,356 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 145.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee (about $20,036 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $13,812.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Salem College than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (about $592 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $33,256.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 162.4% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($30,001 vs. $11,434).

Salem College vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 140 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Salem College vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Tennessee? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.