Salem University

Salem, WV · Southeast

Known forEconomic diversityFirst-gen friendlyLow average costAverage cost down 57% since 2015–16

Website Admissions Apply Visit Financial aid

Students

Who's on campus

A small campus of 892 undergrads, where 75% receive Pell Grants, a high share compared to other colleges.

892

undergrads · larger than 33% of colleges

Diversity index

0.59

Pell Grant

75%

above the median

First generation

54%

above the median

Rural, distantNCAA D-II · Division II Independents

Undergrads +122% since fall 2014Over time

Students and campus life in detail

Academics

Majors and faculty

The most popular major is Business Administration and Management, General (53% of graduates). 19 students for every faculty member, more than at 87% of colleges. 17% of faculty are full-time. Spends $2,609 a year on instruction per student.

19 to 1

students per faculty member · more than at 87% of colleges

What it costs

In 2023–24, the average first-year paid an estimated $13,381 in total (tuition, housing, food, books and other costs, after grants), $10.9K less than the national median. The 100% who received grants paid $10,231 on average; the other 0% paid the full sticker price of $21,950.

39%

$13.4K

average total cost per year, all first-years, after grants (est.) · $10.9K below the national median

Full price: $21,950 a year; tuition, housing, food, books, and other costs
Need-based aid: Published data end at $110K; use the college's net price calculator for higher incomes
Merit aid: 22% · avg $12K; of first-years got a grant without federal aid (a proxy: at most colleges that's merit aid)

Aid generosity

Moderate

grants cover 39% of full price

Federal loans

72%

of undergrads · national median 45%

Your price

Net price calculator

the college's own

Financial aid

Financial aid office Veterans' benefits

Cost falling · −57% after inflation since 2015–16Over time

Prices, who gets aid, and borrowing in detail

Outcomes

What it pays

Former students earn a median $34,642 ten years after enrolling, more than at 6% of colleges; 43% graduate within six years. Four years of net price is about 1.5 years of that salary.

43%

graduate within six years · national median 59%

Median earnings

$34.6K

10 years after entry

Median debt

$24.7K

≈ $262/month for 10 years

Retention

55%

come back for year two

Graduation rate 31% → 20% since the class that entered fall 2008Over time

Earnings, finishing, 8-year outcomes, by group

Over time · since 2013–14

How it's changed

Since 2015–16, the full price fell 44% after inflation, while what the average first-year paid fell 57%, because grants grew faster.

Cost
Falling
−57% after inflation
Diversity
Reported

Every series, year by year

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Sources for this overviewEvery dataset and year behind the numbers on this profile; tap any ⓘ for one number's source

Sources for this profile

1
IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2025–26 · retrieved 2026-10-12
2
College Scorecard
U.S. Department of Education · most recent release; Entered fall 2023; Fall 2024; 2023–24; Fall 2023 · retrieved 2026-10-12
3
IPEDS Admissions survey
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12
4
IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12
5
IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2025–26 · retrieved 2026-10-12
6
IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part D)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12
7
IPEDS Completions survey (degrees awarded by field)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2024–25 graduates · retrieved 2026-10-12
8
College Scorecard Field of Study data
U.S. Department of Education · most recent release · retrieved 2026-10-12
9
IPEDS Finance survey, derived per-student figures
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12
10
IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12
11
Common Data Set
Each college (voluntary, standardized template) · most recent release · retrieved 2026-10-12
12
IPEDS Graduation Rates survey (Pell Grant and subsidized loan recipients)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Entered fall 2018 · retrieved 2026-10-12
13
IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12
14
IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12
15
IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (distance education)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12
16
IPEDS Salaries survey (SAL, instructional staff, all ranks)
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12
17
IPEDS Outcome Measures survey
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Students entering fall 2016 · retrieved 2026-10-12
18
Salem University (2026)
Salem University · 2026 · retrieved 2026-10-04

IPEDS unit ID 237783 · Data retrieved 2026-10-12. Tap any ⓘ to see where that number came from and what year it describes. National ranks and medians include every 4-year college that reports the measure. How we source and calculate everything