Salem College vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Salem College vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or VCU? 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 VCU ($18,668 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 24.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,710 vs. $18,254).
• Salem College is 99.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $16,903 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at VCU than at Salem College (about $6,261 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Virginia Commonwealth University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 111.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($30,001 vs. $14,186).

Salem College vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 10 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Salem College vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and VCU? 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 graduation rate at Salem College is the same as at Virginia Commonwealth University (53% vs. 53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.