Salem College vs. Xavier

Comparable Facts

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

Xavier University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (5,501 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Xavier University is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Xavier University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem College 9:1; Xavier University 10:1.

Salem College vs. Xavier Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem College or Xavier? 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 Xavier ($18,668 vs. $33,623).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 1.5% lower than at Xavier University ($13,710 vs. $13,920).
• Xavier University is 49.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem College (about $16,792 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.6% higher at Xavier than at Salem College (about $16,792 more per year; $50,640.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem College as at Xavier University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Xavier University students is 7% larger than aid received by Salem College students ($32,088 vs. $30,001).

Salem College vs. Xavier Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Xavier University (1210) is 60 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Xavier students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 1066/1243; Xavier University 1103/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem College 16/22; Xavier University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem College - Test optional; Xavier - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Xavier students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Xavier has a higher acceptance rate (86.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Salem College vs. 7.3% at Xavier.

Salem College vs. Xavier Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Xavier University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Xavier University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,500 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Xavier University and Salem College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Xavier University and Salem College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Xavier graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.