Salem College vs. Winthrop University

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winthrop University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (4,894 students vs. 549 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Winthrop University is in Rock Hill, SC (Small City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winthrop University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Winthrop University 13:1.

Salem College vs. Winthrop University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Winthrop University? 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 Winthrop University than Salem College ($16,108 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winthrop University are 19.2% lower than at Salem College ($11,072 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 130.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Winthrop University (about $19,170 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $14,678.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at Salem College than at Winthrop University (about $5,172 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $28,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Winthrop University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 91.3% larger than aid received by Winthrop University students ($30,001 vs. $15,686).

Salem College vs. Winthrop University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem College or Winthrop University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Winthrop University and Salem College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 30 points higher than at Winthrop University (1120).
• Incoming Winthrop University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Salem College 1066/1243; Winthrop University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Salem College 16/22; Winthrop University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Winthrop University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Winthrop University students have a 0.7 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Winthrop University has a higher acceptance rate (79.3%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 15% at Winthrop University.

Salem College vs. Winthrop University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem College and Winthrop University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Winthrop University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Winthrop University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winthrop University and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Winthrop University and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winthrop University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 49%)

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.