Kent State University at Salem vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Salem is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (1,633 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Salem is located in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Salem 26:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Kent State University at Salem vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State University at Salem or Ferrum College? 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 Ferrum College ($13,301 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 10.7% lower than at Ferrum College ($11,810 vs. $13,230).
• Ferrum College is 280.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Salem (about $21,028 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.5% higher at Ferrum College than at Kent State University at Salem (about $11,178 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Kent State University at Salem (98% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 570.8% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($34,444 vs. $5,135).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

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

• Kent State University at Salem reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFerrum College 880/1100.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State University at Salem - Open admission; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Kent State University at Salem students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State University at Salem and Ferrum College? 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).

• Ferrum College's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Kent State University at Salem's (19%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Salem earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have a $2,175 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($25,825 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($267 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.