UNCW vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina Wilmington 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 Wilmington 17:1; Salem College 9:1.

UNCW vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCW 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 UNCW ($18,668 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem College are 3.9% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,710 vs. $14,268).
• Salem College is 365.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $26,571 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.1% higher at Salem College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (about $9,696 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $24,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 349.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($30,001 vs. $6,674).

UNCW vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCW 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 UNCW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 140 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming UNCW 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 Wilmington 1230/1340; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCW - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCW students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at UNCW vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

UNCW vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCW 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 Wilmington's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina Wilmington earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,700 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina Wilmington graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Salem College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNCW graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More UNCW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.