Salem College

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).

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

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

• Higher education services
• Liberal arts education
• Health leadership programs
• Women's college
• Undergraduate education

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core 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

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Winston-Salem State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2025Academic nursing partnership announced between Salem College and Winston-Salem State University for nursing education
• Rize EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Business Administration major with concentration in Digital Marketing offered exclusively online through Rize-affiliated faculty
• Atrium HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing campus health services and confidential virtual counseling or health coaching sessions at no cost to students
• Harvest TableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDining services provider ensuring menus accommodate various nutritional needs including vegan options and top nine food allergens free
• AIFS Study AbroadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudy abroad partnership providing pre-approved study abroad opportunities globally including France, Spain, Australia, Costa Rica, and Greece
• CIS AbroadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudy abroad partner offering global experiential learning opportunities for Salem students
• Harlaxton CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudy abroad partnership at Harlaxton College location for semester programs
• Meredith CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudy abroad partnership providing additional program options
• Oxford UniversitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrestigious study abroad partnership providing opportunities at Oxford University
• AtlantisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal medical and veterinary shadowing partnership for pre-health students to gain clinical experience abroad
• Wake Forest UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-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 TimesminorOthersCollege Access Index recognition for economic diversity
• HandshakecoreTechnology or IntegrationCareer 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/SalemCollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/457497455300
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/salem-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Salem College