Salem College
Salem College is a private, nonprofit women's liberal arts college in Winston-Salem, NC, founded in 1772 and the only U.S. institution exclusively dedicated to elevating women in health leadership. It serves approximately 474 undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students through 26 majors and distinctive programs in health leadership, RISE leadership, and ethics.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1772
- HeadquartersWinston Salem, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Salem College does
Salem College, legally Salem Academy and College, is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college founded in 1772 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and is the oldest educational institution for girls and women in the United States. It is the only liberal arts college in the nation exclusively focused on elevating and expanding women in health leadership, delivering 26 undergraduate majors and 32 minors across arts, humanities, sciences, business, and health-related disciplines, supported by distinctive co-curricular programs including the RISE four-year leadership program, the Engaging Ethics framework, the Salem Scholars program (100% tuition funding plus paid study abroad), and an Honors Program. Supporting infrastructure includes the Lucy Rose Center for Global Leadership & Career Innovation, Center for Women Writers, Center for Action and Public Service, Center for Women in Entrepreneurship & Business, and Center for Campus Culture and Care.
The institution operates a hybrid learning platform combining on-campus instruction with online and hybrid programs (Business Administration Online, Business Administration with Digital Marketing concentration offered via Rize Education, and a hybrid Computer Science major with a data science minor). Total enrollment stood at 474 students (Fall 2023) with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, an average class size of 9, and 94% of faculty holding terminal degrees. The student body is 58% Pell-eligible and 51% BIPOC, drawing from 27 U.S. states, with 96% of graduates employed full-time or in graduate school within a year of graduation.
Salem's revenue model is three-pronged: tuition and fees (primary), charitable contributions managed by the Office of Institutional Advancement (including two $5 million gifts in 2022 and 2023 plus $9.9 million in overall reunion fundraising in 2026), and grants from foundations such as NASA and the Reynolds American Foundation. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer enrollment via the college's website, the Common Application, campus visits, the Ticket to Salem travel program, Open House events, and Accepted Students Day, supplemented by an event-driven recruitment funnel and a "Be Remarkable" content marketing campaign. Strategic partnerships span study abroad providers (AIFS, CIS Abroad, Oxford, Harlaxton, Meredith, Atlantis), clinical and academic partners (Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, Atrium Health, Novant Health, Handshake), and online program management (Rize Education).
Salem College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Salem College
- Legal name
- Salem Academy and College
- Website
- https://salem.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1772
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Salem College is a private, nonprofit women's liberal arts college in Winston-Salem, NC, founded in 1772 and the only U.S. institution exclusively dedicated to elevating women in health leadership. It serves approximately 474 undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students through 26 majors and distinctive programs in health leadership, RISE leadership, and ethics.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Salem College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Women’s Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)
Keywords
Where Salem College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Winston Salem
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Salem College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Private liberal arts college generating primary revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, fees, and room and board charges. Financial aid and scholarships are offered to support enrollment.
- Charitable Contributions: Office of Institutional Advancement manages donations through multi-year pledges, recurring gifts, one-time donations, planned giving, and society-level giving programs. The college received two $5 million gifts in 2022-2023.
- Grants and Foundations: Research grants, programmatic funding from organizations including NASA, Reynolds American Foundation, and other institutional donors supporting specific programs and initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Need-based financial aid with Pell Grant eligibility for 58% of students |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Salem College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Salem College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts women's college offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs with a distinctive focus on health leadership. The college delivers residential and online courses across 26+ undergraduate majors and 32 minors, complemented by signature programs such as the RISE Leadership Program, the Health Leadership Forum, the Salem Scholars scholarship program, and pre-professional advising for pre-law and pre-health tracks. Operating from a 57-acre historic campus in Winston-Salem, NC, the institution generates revenue primarily from tuition and fees, charitable contributions, and grants, supporting enrollment of approximately 474 students at a 9:1 student-faculty ratio.
Product overview
Salem College is a private liberal arts women's college offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across arts, humanities, sciences, health leadership, and professional studies. The institution's core distinctive programs include its exclusive Health Leadership focus (the nation's only liberal arts college exclusively dedicated to health leadership), the RISE Leadership Program (four-year co-curricular leadership development), Engaging Ethics (ethical reasoning commitment across curriculum), and the Honors Program. Supporting student success are specialized centers including the Lucy Rose Center for Global Leadership & Career Innovation, Center for Women Writers, Center for Action and Public Service, Center for Women in Entrepreneurship & Business, and Center for Campus Culture and Care. The college offers 26 undergraduate majors and 32 minors, with notable programs in health-related fields including Health Advocacy and Humanitarian Systems, Health Communication, Health Humanities, and Health Science. Additional offerings include the Salem Scholars scholarship program, Study Away opportunities through international partnerships, Pre-Professional Programs for Pre-Law and Pre-Health tracks, and the annual Celebration of Academic Excellence event.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Salem Academy: An all-girls boarding and day high school for grades 9-12 located on the Salem College campus.
Products and services
- Business Administration Major (BA) Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration combining pre-professional preparation with a liberal arts foundation; for undergraduate students seeking a business degree.
- Business Administration (Online) Online Business Administration major with core courses available entirely online or in person; for students seeking flexible online delivery.
- Business Administration with Digital Marketing Concentration (Online) Online Business Administration major with a Digital Marketing concentration offered in partnership with Rize Education; for students seeking digital marketing expertise.
- Health Science (BS and BA) Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Health Science exploring interdisciplinary perspectives on health and the healthcare industry; for students pursuing health-related careers.
- Health Advocacy and Humanitarian Systems Bachelor of Arts and minor in Health Advocacy and Humanitarian Systems preparing students to shape policies impacting health outcomes; for students interested in health policy and humanitarian work.
- Health Communication Data-driven and creative Bachelor of Arts program integrating arts, communication, data and health science for health messaging; for students interested in health-focused communication.
- Health Humanities Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts and minor in Health Humanities exploring human health through humanities and arts methods and materials; for students interested in the human side of health.
- Biochemistry (BS) Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry introducing students to the application of chemical principles to biological systems; for students pursuing health and science careers.
- Biology (BA and BS) Study of life at all levels from molecules to ecosystems, offered as both BA and BS degrees with a biology minor; for students pursuing life sciences and pre-health careers.
- Computer Science and Minor in Data Science Hybrid Computer Science major with 9 courses in person at Salem College and 7 courses offered online, including a data science minor; for students interested in computing and data science.
- Visual and Performing Arts Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with concentrations in art history, studio art, pre-art therapy, and music, along with various minors; for students pursuing creative arts.
- Education: Teacher Licensure Bachelor of Arts preparing students for teaching careers through coursework and field-based experiences; for students pursuing K-12 teaching licensure.
- Health Leadership Focus The nation's only liberal arts college exclusively focused on health leadership, preparing women to lead transformation in health organizations and society; distinctive college-wide focus spanning all majors.
- RISE Leadership Program Unique four-year co-curricular leadership development program focused on developing confident and courageous leaders in health; for all undergraduate students at Salem College.
- Salem Scholars Program Four-year scholarship and leadership program for incoming students interested in health with demonstrated academic excellence, providing 100% tuition funding including study abroad; for top-tier admitted students.
- Honors Program Program offering academically talented students a community promoting excellence with interdisciplinary courses and research experiences; for high-achieving undergraduate students.
- Engaging Ethics Program Commitment and program ensuring students understand ethical reasoning through courses embedded in academic core and arrayed through majors; for all undergraduate students.
- Study Away Program Study abroad opportunities through partnerships with AIFS, CIS Abroad, Harlaxton College, Meredith College, and Oxford University; for undergraduate students seeking global learning experiences.
- Pre-Professional Programs Specialized advising for Pre-Law and Pre-Health paths including medical school, dental school, PA, PT, OT, and optometry preparation; for students pursuing graduate professional study.
- Lucy Rose Center for Global Leadership & Career Innovation Career services center preparing students for post-graduation success through internships, networking, career development workshops, and graduate school preparation; for all Salem students.
- Center for Women Writers Forum since 1996 for supporting, encouraging, and promoting writing by women, trans women, and non-binary writers; for students, faculty, and community members.
- Center for Action and Public Service (CAPS) Center supporting students in political engagement and public life through programs, voter registration, and teach-ins on public policy; for students interested in civic engagement.
- Center for Women in Entrepreneurship & Business (CWEB) Hub linking students with business, government, and academic professionals, established in 2002 through Kimbrough family generosity; for students interested in entrepreneurship and business.
- Center for Campus Culture and Care Center developing and implementing programming that promotes campus culture and care for students, faculty, and staff; for the entire Salem community.
- Health Leadership Forum Annual conference featuring women in health leadership roles from around the nation for discussion of current health trends and networking; for students, professionals, and health leaders.
- Master of Arts in Teaching (Graduate Program) Graduate program for students pursuing career advancement and professional licensure in teaching; for those seeking advanced credentials in education.
- Master of Education in School Counseling (Graduate Program) Graduate program for students pursuing career advancement and professional licensure in school counseling; for those seeking advanced credentials in education.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96% of graduates are employed full-time or in graduate school within a year after graduation
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Salem College
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Salem College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Salem College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Winston-Salem State UniversitycoreAcademic nursing partnership announced between Salem College and Winston-Salem State University for nursing education
- Rize EducationcorePartnership for Business Administration major with concentration in Digital Marketing offered exclusively online through Rize-affiliated faculty
- Atrium HealthcorePartnership providing campus health services and confidential virtual counseling or health coaching sessions at no cost to students
- Harvest TableminorDining services provider ensuring menus accommodate various nutritional needs including vegan options and top nine food allergens free
- AIFS Study AbroadcoreStudy abroad partnership providing pre-approved study abroad opportunities globally including France, Spain, Australia, Costa Rica, and Greece
- CIS AbroadcoreStudy abroad partner offering global experiential learning opportunities for Salem students
- Harlaxton CollegeminorStudy abroad partnership at Harlaxton College location for semester programs
- Meredith CollegeminorStudy abroad partnership providing additional program options
- Oxford UniversitycorePrestigious study abroad partnership providing opportunities at Oxford University
- AtlantisminorGlobal medical and veterinary shadowing partnership for pre-health students to gain clinical experience abroad
- Wake Forest UniversitycoreCross-registration for classes not offered at Salem (ROTC, Marching Band), cadaver lab experiences through Wake Forest Medical School, and partnership with preclinical students
- The New York TimesminorCollege Access Index recognition for economic diversity
- HandshakecoreCareer platform used by Lucy Rose Center for students to search internships and full-time jobs nationwide including virtual career events
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Salem College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hollins University: Small private women's university in Virginia offering undergraduate liberal arts and graduate programs. Comparable to Salem in scale, single-sex model, and academic profile.
- Agnes Scott College: Small private women's liberal arts college in Georgia with a similar enrollment scale and emphasis on leadership development. Comparable to Salem's small women's-college positioning and outcomes focus.
- Randolph College: Small private women's liberal arts college in Virginia with similar enrollment scale. Directly comparable to Salem in size, single-sex model, and curricular profile.
- Sweet Briar College: Small private women's liberal arts college in Virginia with a similarly intimate scale and STEM-focused curriculum. Highly comparable to Salem in size, mission, and reliance on donor support.
- Spelman College: Historically Black women's liberal arts college in Atlanta with strong social-mobility rankings and a leadership-focused mission. Comparable to Salem's social mobility positioning and women's-only model.
- Bryn Mawr College: Highly selective women's liberal arts college in Pennsylvania with a similar academic profile but larger scale. Comparable to Salem in mission and curricular approach.
- Mount Holyoke College: Private women's liberal arts college in Massachusetts with strong leadership development programs. Comparable to Salem in mission and women's-centered liberal arts approach.
- Smith College: Highly selective women's liberal arts college in Massachusetts with strong STEM and pre-health programs. Comparable to Salem in mission and curricular approach, though significantly larger.
- Wellesley College: Highly selective women's liberal arts college in Massachusetts known for leadership outcomes. Comparable to Salem's mission of educating women for leadership roles, though at a much larger and more selective scale.
- Barnard College: Women's liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University in New York City. Comparable to Salem's women-focused liberal arts mission while operating at a different scale and urban context.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Salem College social profiles
Digital presenceSalem College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Salem College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Salem College subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Salem College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Salem College M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Salem College
What does Salem College do?
Salem College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts women's college offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs with a distinctive focus on health leadership. The college delivers residential and online courses across 26+ undergraduate majors and 32 minors, complemented by signature programs such as the RISE Leadership Program, the Health Leadership Forum, the Salem Scholars scholarship program, and pre-professional advising for pre-law and pre-health tracks. Operating from a 57-acre historic campus in Winston-Salem, NC, the institution generates revenue primarily from tuition and fees, charitable contributions, and grants, supporting enrollment of approximately 474 students at a 9:1 student-faculty ratio.
Is Salem College a public or private company?
Salem College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Salem College founded?
Salem College was founded in 1772.
Where is Salem College based?
Salem College is headquartered in Winston Salem, United States, in the North America region.
How does Salem College make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are charitable Contributions and grants and Foundations.
Who are Salem College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hollins University, Agnes Scott College, Randolph College, Sweet Briar College, Spelman College, Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Wellesley College and Barnard College.
Does Salem College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Salem College.
What industry is Salem College in?
Salem College's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHACAB, Women’s Liberal Arts Colleges, with a secondary code of EDAHACAH, Residential Liberal Arts Colleges. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.