Salem College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Salem College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than Salem College ($13,767 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 9.9% lower than at Salem College ($12,354 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 631.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $29,218 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 292.2% higher at Salem College than at Western Carolina University (about $25,218 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 400.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($30,001 vs. $5,993).

Salem College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Carolina University (1180) is 30 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming WCU 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; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Salem College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.