UNCSA vs. Salem College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, 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 School of the Arts is larger than Salem College based on total student enrollment (1,111 students vs. 549 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Salem College is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts 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 School of the Arts 6:1; Salem College 9:1.

UNCSA vs. Salem College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNCSA 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 School of the Arts than Salem College ($13,140 vs. $18,668).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 1.4% lower than at Salem College ($13,517 vs. $13,710).
• Salem College is 257.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $24,371 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.4% higher at Salem College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $6,637 more per year; $33,848.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem College than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (100% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem College students is 133% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students ($30,001 vs. $12,876).

UNCSA vs. Salem College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNCSA 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 UNCSA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (1260) is 110 points higher than at Salem College (1150).
• Incoming UNCSA students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at Salem College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370; Salem College 1066/1243.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29; Salem College 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNCSA - Test optional; Salem College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNCSA students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Salem College (3.3).
• Salem College has a higher acceptance rate (76.7%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.5% at UNCSA vs. 7.9% at Salem College.

UNCSA vs. Salem College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNCSA 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 School of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Salem College's (53%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Salem College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $35,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem College and UNCSA graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Salem College and UNCSA graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More UNCSA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem College students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.