TU vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

TU vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 Towson University than Salem College ($16,653 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 15.7% lower than at Towson University ($13,710 vs. $16,260).
• Salem College is 188.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $22,120 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Salem College than at Towson University (about $4,028 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 153.8% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($30,001 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem College (1150) is 60 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming TU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

TU vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($183 vs. $279).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.