Private For-Profit Institution Salem, WV
Salem University
Four-year college
Salem University is a private for-profit smaller four-year college in Salem, WV, focused on bachelor’s-level study with a rural campus setting, with about 892 undergraduates, typical net price of $12,303 after grants, first-year retention of 54.8%, about 19.9% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $31,612 six years after enrollment.
Grade for Salem University
Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.
Overall grade
D
Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.
$12,303Average net price
19.9%Graduation rate
$24,694Median debt
54.8%First-year retention
Key facts for Salem University
Key rankings for Salem University
Where Salem University ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#302 of 1,811
Net Price
#1,621 of 1,816
Earnings
#1,654 of 1,808
Retention
#1,736 of 1,850
Graduation
#1,040 of 1,767
Debt
What stands out at Salem University
Salem University in Salem, WV is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.
- Rural (somewhat remote)
- 892 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Average net price after aid runs below the national median for similar schools, but six-year earnings also trail that median. Families should weigh aid, majors, and local job markets together.
Both first-year retention and graduation sit below national benchmarks for similar schools. Counselors often explore that pattern with the college’s advising, financial aid, and completion programs.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Salem University
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is below the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is below the national median of $26,816.
How Salem University compares
Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Southeast (region 5).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (WV) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $12,303Below national median | $13,684 | $18,796 | $19,923 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $31,612Below national median | $37,658 | $39,566 | $45,225 |
| Retention | 54.8%Below national median | 65.7% | 71.9% | 74.9% |
| Graduation | 19.9%Below national median | 44.2% | 48.8% | 54.4% |
| Acceptance rate | Not reported | 93.8% | 74.3% | 77.0% |
| Pell share | 74.6%Above national median | 37.6% | 37.9% | 33.9% |
| Median debt | $24,694Above national median | $22,875 | $24,053 | $23,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Salem University
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Salem University
Common questions about Salem University, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Salem University located?
Salem University is located in Salem, WV. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Salem University?
Salem University is a private for-profit four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Salem University (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $11,900 for in-state students and $11,900 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $12,303. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Salem University's acceptance rate?
An overall acceptance rate is not shown for Salem University. That is common for open-admission colleges, specialized institutions, or when figures are suppressed. Contact admissions for program-specific requirements.
How large is Salem University's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 892. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Salem University?
Median earnings six years after entry at Salem University are roughly $31,612. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 19.9% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Salem University?
Among similar schools nationwide, Salem University stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#302 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#1,621 of 1,816); First-year retention (#1,654 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#1,736 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#1,040 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Salem University?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Salem University’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Salem University Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Salem University |
| Official website | https://www.salemu.edu/ |
| City, state | Salem, WV |
| School type | Four-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 892 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $11,900 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $11,900 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $11,900 |
| Total cost of attendance | $18,650 |
| Room and board (on campus) | $8,400 |
| Average net price | $12,303 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $31,612 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $36,162 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $34,642 |
| Median loan debt | $24,694 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 54.8% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | 19.9% |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | Not reported |
| Acceptance rate | Not reported |
| SAT average | Not reported |
| ACT average | Not reported |
| Pell Grant share | 74.6% |
| Share with federal loans | 71.7% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 7.7% |
| Campus setting | Rural (somewhat remote) |
| Student–faculty ratio | 19 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $4,189 |
| Full-time faculty share | 16.7% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | No |
| SAT midpoint, Math | Not reported |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | Not reported |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 65.8% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 34.2% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 12.3% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 4.3% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 60.3% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 0.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 0.1% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 10.3% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | Not reported |
Sources for Salem University
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.