Kent State University at Salem vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Salem in Salem, OH with Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Salem is larger than Potomac State College of West Virginia University based on total student enrollment (1,633 students vs. 1,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Salem is located in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Potomac State College of West Virginia University is in Keyser, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Potomac State College of West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Salem 26:1; Potomac State College of West Virginia University 13:1.

Kent State University at Salem vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State University at Salem or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University than Kent State University at Salem ($9,541 vs. $13,301).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 6.1% lower than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University ($11,810 vs. $12,580).
• Kent State University at Salem is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $2,212 more per year; $7,492.00 vs. $5,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at Kent State University at Salem than at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (about $4,142 more per year; $17,342.00 vs. $13,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Potomac State College of West Virginia University than at Kent State University at Salem (90% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Potomac State College of West Virginia University students is 34.2% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($6,890 vs. $5,135).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State University at Salem or Potomac State College of West Virginia 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 Potomac State College of West Virginia University and Kent State University at Salem.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State University at Salem - Open admission; Potomac State College of West Virginia University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State University at Salem students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University (3.06).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Potomac State College of West Virginia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State University at Salem and Potomac State College of West Virginia 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).

• Graduates from Potomac State College of West Virginia University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Kent State University at Salem graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have a $1,824 lower median loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($24,001 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($248 vs. $267).
• More Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.