Kent State University at Salem vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia State University is larger than Kent State University at Salem based on total student enrollment (5,605 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); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Salem 26:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Kent State University at Salem vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State University at Salem or VSU? 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 VSU ($13,301 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 11.6% lower than at Virginia State University ($11,810 vs. $13,355).
• Virginia State University is 34% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Salem (about $2,551 more per year; $10,043.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.6% higher at VSU than at Kent State University at Salem (about $5,308 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Kent State University at Salem (92% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 142.4% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($12,447 vs. $5,135).

Kent State University at Salem vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State University at Salem or VSU? 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 VSU 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 studentsVirginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State University at Salem - Open admission; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State University at Salem students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at VSU (2.85).

Kent State University at Salem vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Kent State University at Salem's (19%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Salem earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have a $3,675 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($25,825 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($267 vs. $305).
• More Kent State University at Salem graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 28%)

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.