Kent State University at Salem vs. Shawnee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Shawnee State University is larger than Kent State University at Salem based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 1,633 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Salem is located in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Shawnee State University is in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Salem 26:1; Shawnee State University 12:1.

Kent State University at Salem vs. Shawnee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State University at Salem or Shawnee State 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 Shawnee State University ($13,301 vs. $13,996).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 5.5% lower than at Shawnee State University ($11,810 vs. $12,502).
• Shawnee State University is 41.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Salem (about $3,134 more per year; $10,626.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Shawnee State University than at Kent State University at Salem (about $16 more per year; $17,358.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shawnee State University than at Kent State University at Salem (87% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shawnee State University students is 52.3% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($7,820 vs. $5,135).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Shawnee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State University at Salem or Shawnee State 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 Shawnee State 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; Shawnee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Shawnee State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Kent State University at Salem (3.27).

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

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

• Shawnee State University's six-year graduation rate (22%) is higher than Kent State University at Salem's (19%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Salem earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $2,113 lower median loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($23,712 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($245 vs. $267).
• More Kent State University at Salem graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 36%)

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.