Kent State University at Salem vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Salem in Salem, OH with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Salem is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (1,633 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Salem is located in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Salem 26:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

Kent State University at Salem vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State University at Salem or Bluefield 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 Kent State University at Salem than Bluefield University ($13,301 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 19.7% lower than at Kent State University at Salem ($9,480 vs. $11,810).
• Bluefield University is 257.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Salem (about $19,278 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.4% higher at Bluefield University than at Kent State University at Salem (about $9,428 more per year; $26,770.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bluefield University than at Kent State University at Salem (94% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bluefield University students is 296.1% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($20,341 vs. $5,135).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State University at Salem or Bluefield 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 Bluefield University and Kent State University at Salem.

• Kent State University at Salem reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State University at Salem - Open admission; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Kent State University at Salem (3.27).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State University at Salem and Bluefield 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).

• Bluefield University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Kent State University at Salem's (19%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Kent State University at Salem graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $4,991 lower median loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($20,834 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($215 vs. $267).
• More Bluefield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 46%)

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.