Shorter vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Shorter University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,318 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shorter University is located in Rome, GA (Small City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Shorter University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shorter University 14:1; Salem College 9:1.

Shorter vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shorter or Salem College? 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 Shorter University than Salem College ($16,821 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shorter University are 27.6% lower than at Salem College ($9,920 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 37.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shorter (about $9,218 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $24,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.4% higher at Salem College than at Shorter University (about $9,218 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $24,630.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Shorter University as at Salem College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 59.1% larger than aid received by Shorter University students ($30,001 vs. $18,862).

Shorter vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 30 points higher than at Shorter (1120).
• Incoming Shorter students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 1040/1200; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Shorter University 18/25; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shorter - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shorter Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Shorter (3.25).
• Shorter has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at Shorter vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Shorter vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shorter and Salem College? 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 Shorter University's (47%).
• Graduates from Shorter University earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem College graduates have a $1,418 lower median loan debt than Shorter graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,418).
• Among borrowers, Salem College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shorter graduates ($279 vs. $293).
• More Salem College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shorter students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 38%)

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.