Salem University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; freshman retention is below 65%. 75% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Salem University is a private for-profit institution located in Salem, West Virginia with approximately 892 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $12,303 per year. The graduation rate is 20%, and the typical graduate earns $34,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
Salem University is a private for-profit university in Salem, West Virginia, United States. It has about 250 students on campus and about 600 online students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. The university was founded by the Seventh Day Baptist Church in 1888.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: with a 27% graduation rate and only 52% of freshmen returning for sophomore year, most students who start here don't finish, which is a serious red flag worth sitting with. On the positive side, median debt at graduation is a remarkably low $7,405, and the $14,469 net price is affordable — so if you do complete your degree, you won't be buried in loans. That said, median earnings of $34,100 a decade out suggest limited career lift from this credential, so consider carefully whether the program you want is available somewhere with stronger completion outcomes.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (892 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in West Virginia
American Public University System
Charles Town, WV · Private for-profit
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV · Public
Marshall University
Huntington, WV · Public
Fairmont State University
Fairmont, WV · Public
Martinsburg College
Martinsburg, WV · Private for-profit
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, WV · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.