Bethany College vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

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

Salem University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,083 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethany College is located in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethany College 12:1; Salem University 19:1.

Bethany College vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethany 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 Bethany College ($10,231 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 36.4% lower than at Bethany College ($8,400 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 208.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $24,865 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 208.9% higher at Bethany College than at Salem University (about $24,865 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College as at Salem University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 269.3% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($31,646 vs. $8,569).

Bethany College vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethany 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 Bethany College.

• Salem University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethany College - Test-free; Salem University - Open admission.

Bethany College vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethany 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).

• Bethany College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Bethany College earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Salem University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem University graduates have a $4,266 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($26,618 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Salem University graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($275 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.