Louisville vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Louisville vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville ($18,668 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 8.3% lower than at Salem College ($12,576 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 157.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $20,712 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at Salem College than at University of Louisville (about $4,366 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at University of Louisville (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 104.4% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($30,001 vs. $14,677).

Louisville vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 10 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming Louisville 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: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

Louisville vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $7,344 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($19,656 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($203 vs. $279).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.