The Catholic University of America vs. Salem University

Deciding between The Catholic University of America and Salem University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The Catholic University of America

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • Salem University Salem, WV
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • Salem University Distant Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • Salem University 1,083
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • Salem University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Salem University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The Catholic University of America Roman Catholic
  • Salem University -
  • Status
  • The Catholic University of America Non-profit
  • Salem University For-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Salem University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Salem University $11,900
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Salem University $11,900
  • Room & Board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • Salem University $8,400
  • Average Net Price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • Salem University $10,231
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • Salem University $8,569
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • Salem University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • The Catholic University of America Calculate
  • Salem University Calculate
  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • Salem University -
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • Salem University -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • Salem University Open
  • Enrolled
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • Salem University Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Salem University
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Salem University
  • Average High School GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • Salem University -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • Salem University -
  • Admissions Standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • Salem University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Salem University
  • ACT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Salem University
  • SAT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Salem University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • Salem University Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • Salem University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • Salem University 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Salem University
    • Business (78%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
    • Education (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • Salem University 14%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • Salem University $33,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • Salem University 27%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • Salem University $26,618
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • Salem University $275

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The Catholic University of America 48%
  • Salem University 36%
  • % Women
  • The Catholic University of America 52%
  • Salem University 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The Catholic University of America Medium
  • Salem University High
  • HBCU
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Salem University No
  • % White
  • The Catholic University of America 64%
  • Salem University 39%
  • % Asian
  • The Catholic University of America 3%
  • Salem University 1%
  • % Black
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Salem University 24%
  • % Hispanic
  • The Catholic University of America 13%
  • Salem University 9%
  • % Native American
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Salem University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Salem University 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Salem University 2%
  • % International
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Salem University 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The Catholic University of America 4%
  • Salem University 17%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The Catholic University of America 8%
  • Salem University 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The Catholic University of America 84%
  • Salem University 32%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Salem University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Salem University No
  • Meal Plan
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Salem University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Salem University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Salem University No
  • Learn More
  • The Catholic University of America Details
  • Salem University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Salem University in Salem, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than Salem University based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 1,083 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Salem University 19:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America ($10,231 vs. $32,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 53.8% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($8,400 vs. $18,200).
  • The Catholic University of America is 390.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $46,478 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $11,900.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 390.6% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Salem University (about $46,478 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $11,900.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem University than at The Catholic University of America (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 397.8% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($42,657 vs. $8,569).

The Catholic University of America vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America.

  • Salem University reports an open admissions policy.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Salem University - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.

The Catholic University of America vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America 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).

  • The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
  • Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Salem University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $512 lower median loan debt than Salem University graduates ($26,106 vs. $26,618).
  • Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem University graduates ($269 vs. $275).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.