Salem College vs. WLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC with Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wisconsin Lutheran College is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,027 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Wisconsin Lutheran College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Wisconsin Lutheran College 11:1.

Salem College vs. WLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or WLC? 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 WLC ($18,668 vs. $24,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wisconsin Lutheran College are 10.6% lower than at Salem College ($12,250 vs. $13,710).
• Wisconsin Lutheran College is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $2,262 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at WLC than at Salem College (about $2,262 more per year; $36,110.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Wisconsin Lutheran College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 21.8% larger than aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students ($30,001 vs. $24,624).

Salem College vs. WLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 50 points higher than at WLC (1100).
• Incoming WLC 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; Wisconsin Lutheran College 970/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Wisconsin Lutheran College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; WLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• WLC has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 20.2% at WLC.

Salem College vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wisconsin Lutheran College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wisconsin Lutheran College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WLC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.