Your chances of getting into Salem College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Salem College is 87.5%. Its admission rate is the 52nd lowest in North Carolina.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Salem College and can you get accepted?
Salem College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,014 out of the 1,159 who applied were admitted.
Salem College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.3. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Salem College?
87% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Salem College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.3 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1130 on the SAT
- Score 19 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
Salem College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Salem College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Salem College are to have around a 3.3 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.
If your high school grades are above the average 3.3 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Salem College accepts 87% of applicants.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Salem College is 3.3 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #30 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Salem College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
Salem College SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Salem College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 13% of students submitted SAT scores and 21% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 555 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 498 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1053 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 605 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 595 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1200 |
| Average SAT Score | 1130
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Salem College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Salem College is 1130 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1053-1200. Students who get into Salem College score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers.. Salem College ranks #19 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1130 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Salem College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1053 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1053, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 980, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Salem College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1130 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1126, you have around a 87% chance of being admitted. A 1200 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.
Salem College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 14 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 16 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 17 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 22 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 20 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 21 |
| Average ACT Score | 19
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Salem College?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Salem College is 19, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 21. The school ranks #39 in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 19. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.
21 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Salem College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Salem College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Salem College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 19 score has around 87% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 21 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
73% of Salem College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 37% are in the top ten percent.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 37% |
| Top 25% of class | 73% |
| Top 50% of class | 98% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 1,154 | 5 | 1,159 |
| Accepted | 1,011 | 3 | 1,014 |
| Acceptance Rate | 88% | 60% | 87% |
| Enrolled | 91 | 0 | 91 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 9% | 0% | 9% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Salem College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Salem College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Recommendations | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | Yes |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Salem College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.3 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1130 and ACT of 19 will almost guarantee your admission.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Salem College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199607 IPEDS survey data for Salem College.
Last updated February 24, 2024