Salem University
- Graduation Rate
- 24% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,642 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $12,303 B-
- 28% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 892
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $718,703.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 24% — 58% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Salem University
Salem University 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
- Private for-profit University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 892
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Salem University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,303 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,642 ten years after enrolling — 15% below the typical college, against $24,694 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Salem University is an ideal choice for students looking to pursue degrees in practical fields like Business, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, and Biology. With an enrollment of 892 students, it creates an intimate learning environment where individuals can receive personalized attention and build relationships with peers and faculty alike. This focus on key areas of study means that students can prepare directly for careers that are in demand today.
Looking at life after graduation, students earn an average of $34,642 ten years out. While the graduation rate sits at 24%, those who do complete their degrees can find pathways to better opportunities. The affordability of attending Salem is supported by a high Pell Grant rate of 75%, which indicates a strong commitment to helping low-income students access education.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid is $12,303, which makes it relatively accessible, though the median debt stands at $24,694. Students who thrive here are typically those who appreciate a close-knit community and are motivated to take advantage of the hands-on experiences offered in their chosen fields. With a mix of dedication and support, graduates are positioned to improve their circumstances and build fulfilling careers.
Can I Get In?
How selective Salem University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Salem University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Salem University, located in Salem, West Virginia, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
- Retention Rate
- 55%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 17%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $4,189
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 54%
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 Salem University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Salem University is $11,900, 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 $12,303. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,886 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,694 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,900
- Out-of-State
- $11,900
- Avg Net Price
- $12,303
- Median Debt
- $24,694
- Pell Grant Rate
- 75%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 72%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,886
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,753
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,154
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,716
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 Salem University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Salem University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Salem University report median earnings of $34,642, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,612
- 8 Years
- $36,162
- 10 Years
- $34,642
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.71x
- Earning > $25K
- 44%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (25)
- 23%
- 100% (25)
- 23%
- 100% (25)
- 23%
- 100% (25)
- 23%
How Salem Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Salem University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Salem University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,303/year ($49,212 total). Graduates earn $34,642 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $767,915 in total earnings — a net gain of $718,703 (15.6× your investment). The median debt is $24,694, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,212
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $767,915
- Net Return
- $718,703
- ROI Multiple
- 15.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,303
- Median Debt
- $24,694
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields Salem University 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.
- Business & Marketing 42% $39,121 early-career
- Health Professions 26% $37,842 early-career
- Criminal Justice 12% $35,271 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Computer Science & IT 9% $43,124 early-career
- Education 1% $62,550 early-career
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.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Salem University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Salem University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Salem University, located in Salem, West Virginia, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Salem University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Salem University is $11,900, 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 $12,303. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,886 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,694 in federal student loans.
Is Salem University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Salem University report median earnings of $34,642, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
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Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Salem University.
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