Private Nonprofit Institution Winston-Salem, NC
Salem College
Four-year college
Salem College is a private nonprofit smaller four-year college in Winston-Salem, NC, focused on bachelor’s-level study with an urban campus setting, with about 423 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 76.7%, listed tuition around $33,848 and typical net price of $18,277 after grants, first-year retention of 67.5%, about 57.4% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $38,496 six years after enrollment.
Grade for Salem College
Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.
Overall grade
C-
Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.
$18,277Average net price
57.4%Graduation rate
$38,496Median earnings, 6 years after entry
55.2%Pell Grant recipient share
Key facts for Salem College
Key rankings for Salem College
Where Salem College ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#768 of 1,811
Net Price
#1,335 of 1,816
Earnings
#1,356 of 1,808
Retention
#799 of 1,850
Graduation
#1,421 of 1,767
Debt
What stands out at Salem College
Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.
- Large city
- 423 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Average net price after aid runs below the national median for similar schools, but six-year earnings also trail that median. Families should weigh aid, majors, and local job markets together.
Graduation lines up with or beats the national median for similar schools even though first-year retention trails the national average—worth asking how the college supports students all the way through a degree.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Salem College
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is above the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is above the national median of $26,816.
How Salem College compares
Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Southeast (region 5).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (NC) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $18,277Below national median | $18,964 | $18,796 | $19,923 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $38,496Below national median | $39,763 | $39,566 | $45,225 |
| Retention | 67.5%Below national median | 73.6% | 71.9% | 74.9% |
| Graduation | 57.4%Above national median | 46.3% | 48.8% | 54.4% |
| Acceptance rate | 76.7%Below national median | 74.9% | 74.3% | 77.0% |
| Pell share | 55.2%Above national median | 41.0% | 37.9% | 33.9% |
| Median debt | $26,649Above national median | $25,000 | $24,053 | $23,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Salem College
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Salem College
Common questions about Salem College, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Salem College located?
Salem College is located in Winston-Salem, NC. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Salem College?
Salem College is a private nonprofit four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Salem College (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $33,848 for in-state students and $33,848 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $18,277. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Salem College's acceptance rate?
The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 76.7% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.
How large is Salem College's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 423. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Salem College?
Median earnings six years after entry at Salem College are roughly $38,496. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 57.4% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Salem College?
Among similar schools nationwide, Salem College stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#768 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#1,335 of 1,816); First-year retention (#1,356 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#799 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#1,421 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Salem College?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Salem College’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Salem College Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Salem College |
| Official website | www.salem.edu/ |
| City, state | Winston-Salem, NC |
| School type | Four-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 423 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $33,848 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $33,848 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $33,848 |
| Total cost of attendance | $48,532 |
| Room and board (on campus) | $13,710 |
| Average net price | $18,277 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $38,496 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $42,430 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $44,640 |
| Median loan debt | $26,649 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 67.5% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | 57.4% |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | Not reported |
| Acceptance rate | 76.7% |
| SAT average | 1,082 |
| ACT average | 19 |
| Pell Grant share | 55.2% |
| Share with federal loans | 44.6% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 6.2% |
| Campus setting | Large city |
| Student–faculty ratio | 9 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $6,493 |
| Full-time faculty share | 50.7% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | No |
| SAT midpoint, Math | 547 |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | 580 |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 99.5% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 0.5% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 19.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 19.9% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 48.9% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 2.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 0.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 3.8% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | Not reported |
Sources for Salem College
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.