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Salem College

Winston-Salem, NC·Private nonprofit·390 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

87%
Accept
390
Students
$18,835
Net Price
56%
Grad Rate
$37,400
Earnings
10 yr
$19,500
Debt

About This School

Salem College is a private nonprofit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with approximately 390 undergraduate students enrolled. Salem College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 87%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,835 per year. The graduation rate is 56%, and the typical graduate earns $37,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

Salem College is a private women's liberal arts college in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in 1772 as a primary school, it later became an academy and ultimately added the college. It is the oldest female educational establishment that is still a women's college and the oldest women's college in the United States.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the affordable net price of $18,835/year and modest debt load are genuine strengths, but a 56% graduation rate and 67% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful chunk of students don't finish — worth asking hard questions about why. For those who do complete their degree, median earnings of $37,400 a decade out are modest, so this makes the most sense for students drawn to Salem's women's college mission and small community rather than those chasing high-earning career outcomes.

Founded
1888
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Visual & Performing Arts26%
Business & Marketing16%
Psychology10%
Biological Sciences6%
Health Professions6%
English6%
Education5%
Social Sciences4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Sharon RobinsonCecil H. UnderwoodMatthew M. NeelyJohn Abramovic

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1168
Reading 75th %ile685
Math 75th %ile630

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite19

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$32,236
Out-of-State Tuition
$32,236
Avg Net Price
$18,835
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants49%
Median debt at graduation$19,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
56%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
67%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$37,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$29,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$37,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.9x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White46%
Black20%
Hispanic/Latino19%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (390 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Salem College

601 S Church St

Winston-Salem, NC 27101

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in North Carolina

Browse all North Carolina schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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