Salem College vs Mary Baldwin University

Salem College and Mary Baldwin University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Salem College, a women's college in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. Mary Baldwin University, located in Staunton, Virginia, is a coeducational institution with a larger student population and a wider range of academic programs, including graduate degrees. While both colleges excel in liberal arts education, Salem College is known for its strong focus on the arts, while Mary Baldwin University emphasizes leadership and professional development. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about the differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Mary Baldwin University	Salem College
Overview
Location	Staunton, Virginia	Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	4-1-4	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	64.0%	62.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation	Presbyterian	Protestant

Admission
Acceptance rate	87.1%	90.2%
Application fees	$45	$30
SAT range	940 - 1120	1053 - 1200
ACT range	18 - 24	17 - 21
Students submitting SAT score	63.0%	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	18.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	7,188	479
Total number of admissions given out	6,261	432
Admitted students who chose to enroll	358	48
Yield rate	5.7%	11.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)		N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$46,150	$35,016
Average net price	$17,525	$11,408
Tuition	$30,690	$30,500
Room & board	$9,730	Room/dormitory: $6,150 Meal plan: $6,150
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $25,086	99.0% Average amount $26,404
Students receiving federal student loan	79.0% Average amount $5,597	51.0% Average amount $4,282
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $10,189	3.0% Average amount $3,977

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,489 Men 20.9% Women 79.1%	364 Men 1.9% Women 98.1%
Graduate students	653 Men 19.0% Women 81.0%	132 Men 9.1% Women 90.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	15.6%
International students	0.5%	N/A
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	790	386
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	North Carolina Virginia Connecticut Delaware Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Visual & Performing Arts Liberal Arts	Education Visual & Performing Arts English Language and Literature Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	47.9%	67.4%
Dropout rate	21.3%	9.8%
Transferred out	30.3%	22.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,305 Year 2: $43,739 Year 3: $45,663 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,211 Year 2: $35,274 Year 3: $39,684 Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,555 Year 2: $26,715 Year 3: $36,688 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $33,293 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,446 Year 2: $28,055 Year 3: $32,752 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,055 Year 3: N/A Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,891 Year 2: $30,409 Year 3: N/A Criminology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $26,353 Year 3: N/A Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $34,420 Year 3: N/A	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,373 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $41,915 Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,850 Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: N/A Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $46,313 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,085 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $26,016 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $21,118 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between Salem College and Mary Baldwin University?

Salem College is a historically women's college focused on empowering women in leadership and STEM fields. It offers a close-knit community and a strong emphasis on tradition. Mary Baldwin University, while also having a historic women's college core (the Baldwin Honors Program), is now a co-educational institution offering a wider range of programs and a more diverse student body. Mary Baldwin also has a significant focus on experiential learning and civic engagement.
Are Salem College and Mary Baldwin University both women's colleges?

No, not entirely. Salem College remains a women's college. Mary Baldwin University has a historic women's college core, the Baldwin Honors Program, but is now a co-educational institution, meaning it admits both men and women into most of its programs.
Which college is located in a larger city?

Mary Baldwin University is located in Staunton, Virginia, a smaller city compared to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Salem College is located. Winston-Salem offers a wider range of cultural and entertainment options due to its larger size.
How do the academic programs compare between Salem College and Mary Baldwin University?

Both institutions offer a variety of undergraduate programs. Salem College is known for its strong STEM programs and its focus on leadership development for women. Mary Baldwin University offers a broader range of programs, including health sciences, education, and business, and has a strong emphasis on experiential learning and civic engagement. Mary Baldwin also offers graduate programs, which Salem College does not.
What is the campus environment like at Salem College versus Mary Baldwin University?

Salem College offers a more intimate and traditional campus environment, fostering a strong sense of community among its students. Mary Baldwin University has a more diverse campus environment due to its co-educational status and larger student body. Both campuses are historic and beautiful, but offer different experiences based on their size and student demographics.
Which college is more focused on STEM fields?

While both institutions offer STEM programs, Salem College has a particularly strong emphasis on STEM fields, especially for women. They have specific initiatives and resources dedicated to supporting women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Does either college have a religious affiliation?

Salem College has a historical affiliation with the Moravian Church, which still influences the college's values and traditions. Mary Baldwin University has a historical affiliation with the Presbyterian Church, but it is no longer formally affiliated with the church.
What are the opportunities for experiential learning at Salem College and Mary Baldwin University?

Both colleges offer opportunities for experiential learning, such as internships, research, and study abroad programs. Mary Baldwin University places a particularly strong emphasis on experiential learning and civic engagement, integrating these components into many of its academic programs. Salem College also provides experiential learning opportunities, often tailored to leadership development and career preparation for women.
How do the costs of attending Salem College and Mary Baldwin University compare?

Tuition and fees can vary from year to year, so it's best to check the official websites of both Salem College and Mary Baldwin University for the most up-to-date information. Factors like scholarships, financial aid, and room and board options will also influence the overall cost of attendance. It's recommended to compare financial aid packages offered by each institution.
What kind of student would thrive at Salem College versus Mary Baldwin University?

A student who is passionate about women's leadership, STEM fields, and a close-knit community would likely thrive at Salem College. A student who is looking for a more diverse and co-educational environment with a broader range of academic programs and a strong emphasis on experiential learning and civic engagement would likely thrive at Mary Baldwin University.

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