Salem College vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

West Virginia University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (23,643 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Salem College vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or WVU? 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 West Virginia University than Salem College ($15,169 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 6% lower than at West Virginia University ($13,710 vs. $14,582).
• Salem College is 235% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVU (about $23,744 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $10,104.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.3% higher at Salem College than at West Virginia University (about $5,240 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $28,608.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at West Virginia University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 142.7% larger than aid received by West Virginia University students ($30,001 vs. $12,363).

Salem College vs. WVU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 30 points higher than at WVU (1120).
• Incoming WVU 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; West Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; West Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; WVU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WVU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• WVU has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 24.8% at WVU.

Salem College vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• West Virginia University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia University graduates have a $2,999 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($24,001 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WVU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.