University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina Asheville is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (3,056 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Asheville is located in Asheville, NC (Small City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Asheville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina Asheville 13:1; Salem College 9:1.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville than Salem College ($13,798 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 2% lower than at University of North Carolina Asheville ($13,710 vs. $13,992).
• Salem College is 351.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of North Carolina Asheville (about $26,347 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $7,501.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.2% higher at Salem College than at University of North Carolina Asheville (about $8,999 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $24,849.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at University of North Carolina Asheville (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 290.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Asheville students ($30,001 vs. $7,683).

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of North Carolina Asheville 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 University of North Carolina Asheville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Asheville (1270) is 120 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 1170/1360; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Asheville 23/29; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of North Carolina Asheville - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Carolina Asheville Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of North Carolina Asheville students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• University of North Carolina Asheville has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Salem College (76.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.7% at University of North Carolina Asheville vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

University of North Carolina Asheville vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of North Carolina Asheville 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 North Carolina Asheville's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Asheville earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have a $6,359 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($20,641 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of North Carolina Asheville graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More University of North Carolina Asheville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.