Salem College vs. USC Aiken

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with University of South Carolina Aiken in Aiken, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (4,022 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); University of South Carolina Aiken is in Aiken, SC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Aiken is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; University of South Carolina Aiken 16:1.

Salem College vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken than Salem College ($12,236 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 33% lower than at Salem College ($9,182 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 214.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Aiken (about $23,088 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $10,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at Salem College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (about $12,630 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $21,218.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at University of South Carolina Aiken (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 236.9% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students ($30,001 vs. $8,904).

Salem College vs. USC Aiken Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 50 points higher than at USC Aiken (1100).
• Incoming USC Aiken 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; University of South Carolina Aiken 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; University of South Carolina Aiken 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; USC Aiken - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USC Aiken Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at USC Aiken (3.19).
• USC Aiken has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 28.2% at USC Aiken.

Salem College vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and USC Aiken? 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 University of South Carolina Aiken's (41%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Aiken graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Aiken graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.