Salem College Admission Requirements
- 5/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Winston-Salem, NC
-
5.0 2 reviews
Salem College Admission Overview
Salem College admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Salem College admitted 76.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.3 GPA (B+) and SAT 1066-1243 / ACT 16-22. Salem College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Salem College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Salem College Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Salem College
Acceptance Rate
The Salem College acceptance rate is 76.7%. Last year, 1,722 of 2,246 applicants were admitted. That is the 36th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Salem College typically 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. 8% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Salem College GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.3Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.3
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Salem College typically have around a 3.3 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. Salem College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #30 in North Carolina for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Salem College SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1066-1243Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
6%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 553
- Math 513
- Composite 1066
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 643
- Math 600
- Composite 1243
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Salem College typically score around a 1150 SAT (middle 50% 1066–1243) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 68th percentile nationally. Salem College ranks #21 in the state of North Carolina for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1066 to 1243
SAT policy
Salem College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Salem College ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
16-22Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
7%25th Percentile Scores
- English 14
- Math 15
- Composite 16
75th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 22
- Composite 22
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Salem College typically have around a 19 ACT (mid-50 16–22) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 44th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Salem College places #38 among colleges in North Carolina for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 16 to 22
ACT policy
You may apply to Salem College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 19.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Salem College chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Salem College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Salem College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Salem College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 76.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.3 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1066-1243); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Salem College often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=199607.
GPA calculator: Salem College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026