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Kent State University at Salem

#7 Best Online Education Programs in Ohio
Public Salem, OH · Rural · Great Lakes · 87% data
C+ Value C+ Affordability C+ Earnings
Graduation Rate
30% F
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$45,388 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$13,799 C+
19% less than the typical college
Enrollment
1,164
Earnings +11% vs avg
Graduation -48% vs avg
Net Price +-19% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 18.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Online Education Programs in Ohio.

18.9× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $990,529.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduation of 30% — 48% below the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $18.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Kent State University at Salem

Kent State University at Salem is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public Community College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate College
Enrollment
1,164
Setting
Rural
Primary Strengths
Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education

Why students choose Kent State University at Salem

Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
Strength in Humanities
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 53% overall
C+
Earnings
$45,388 median
C+
Value
3.3× net price
C+
Affordability
$13,799/yr net
F
Graduation
30% graduate
D
Diversity
0.34 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Kent State University at Salem caters to students looking for a close-knit environment with a focus on practical skills. With an enrollment of around 1,164, it stands out for its emphasis on programs like Humanities, Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science & IT. This is a great fit for those who thrive in smaller settings and appreciate a more personalized approach to learning.

After graduation, students can expect to earn around $45,388 within ten years. This figure reflects the potential for upward mobility, particularly for those who engage in programs that align with market demand. The affordability of Kent State at Salem is a significant advantage, making it accessible for many students. About 33% of students receive Pell Grants, which indicates a commitment to supporting those who need it most.

When looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $13,799, and the median debt for graduates is $24,500. This manageable debt load makes it easier for graduates to start their lives without overwhelming financial pressure. Those who tend to thrive here are typically those who appreciate a supportive community and are focused on gaining practical skills that lead to stable careers.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Kent State University at Salem is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Kent State University at Salem? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Kent State University at Salem, located in Salem, Ohio, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.

Retention Rate
47%
Full-Time Faculty
39%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$8,066
Student–Faculty Ratio
19:1
Diversity Index
0.34
First-Gen Students
36%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kent State University at Salem? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Kent State University at Salem is $17,342, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,799. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,684 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$7,492
Out-of-State
$17,342
Avg Net Price
$13,799
Median Debt
$24,500
Pell Grant Rate
33%
Federal Loan Rate
40%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$10,684
Family Income $30K–$48K
$9,900
Family Income $48K–$75K
$14,582
Family Income $110K+
$18,045

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Kent State University at Salem — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Kent State University at Salem Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Kent State University at Salem earn a median of $45,388, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$40,179
8 Years
$43,003
10 Years
$45,388
Debt-to-Earnings
0.54x
Earning > $25K
60%

Earnings Trajectory

$40,179 6yr $43,003 8yr $45,388 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

How Kent Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation30%Earnings 10yr$45KNet Price$14KRetention47%Median Debt$25KPell Grant Rate33%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$11K$0-30K$10K$30-48K$15K$48-75K$18K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Kent State University at Salem Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Kent State University at Salem delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,799/year ($55,196 total). Graduates earn $45,388 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,045,725 in total earnings — a net gain of $990,529 (18.9× your investment). The median debt is $24,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 30% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$55,196
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,045,725
Net Return
$990,529
ROI Multiple
18.9×
Cost Per Year
$13,799
Median Debt
$24,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
30%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Kent State University at Salem awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Kent State University at Salem? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Kent State University at Salem, located in Salem, Ohio, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kent State University at Salem? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Kent State University at Salem is $17,342, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,799. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,684 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.

Is Kent State University at Salem Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Kent State University at Salem earn a median of $45,388, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kent State University at Salem.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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