Academy College vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

Compare Academy College in Bloomington, MN with Salem University in Salem, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem University is larger than Academy College based on total student enrollment (1,083 students vs. 56 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Academy College is located in Bloomington, MN (Small City setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Academy College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Academy College 8:1; Salem University 19:1.

Academy College vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Academy College or Salem University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem University than Academy College ($10,231 vs. $29,093).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 1.6% lower than at Academy College ($8,400 vs. $8,539).
• Academy College is 57% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $6,780 more per year; $18,680.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57% higher at Academy College than at Salem University (about $6,780 more per year; $18,680.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem University than at Academy College (100% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem University students is 79.2% larger than aid received by Academy College students ($8,569 vs. $4,781).

Academy College vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Academy College or Salem University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Salem University and Academy College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Academy College - Open admission; Salem University - Open admission.

Academy College vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Academy College and Salem University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Academy College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Academy College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Salem University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,400 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem University graduates have a $1,266 lower median loan debt than Academy College graduates ($26,618 vs. $27,884).
• Among borrowers, Salem University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Academy College graduates ($275 vs. $288).
• More Academy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.