UNC Chapel Hill vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, 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 at Chapel Hill is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill 15:1; Salem College 9:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill than Salem College ($10,154 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 0.7% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($13,710 vs. $13,804).
• Salem College is 276.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $24,854 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Salem College (about $7,355 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $33,848.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (100% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 68.4% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($30,001 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 310 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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 at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $31,100 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $10,521 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($16,479 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($170 vs. $279).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.