Kentucky vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; Salem College 9:1.

Kentucky vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Salem College than Kentucky ($18,668 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 14.4% lower than at University of Kentucky ($13,710 vs. $16,016).
• Salem College is 150.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $20,346 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Kentucky than at Salem College (about $292 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 132.6% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($30,001 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kentucky (1180) is 30 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Kentucky students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kentucky students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Kentucky vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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).

• University of Kentucky's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Kentucky earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($22,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($235 vs. $279).
• More Kentucky graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.