Plaza College vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

Compare Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY with Salem University in Salem, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem University is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (1,083 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plaza College 28:1; Salem University 19:1.

Plaza College vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Plaza College or Salem 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 Salem University than Plaza College ($10,231 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 45.8% lower than at Plaza College ($8,400 vs. $15,500).
• Plaza College is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $3,550 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at Plaza College than at Salem University (about $3,550 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem University than at Plaza College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem University students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($8,569 vs. $6,665).

Plaza College vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Plaza College or Salem 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 Salem University and Plaza College.

• Salem University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plaza College - Test-free; Salem University - Open admission.

Plaza College vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Plaza College and Salem 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 Salem University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $12,703 lower median loan debt than Salem University graduates ($13,915 vs. $26,618).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem University graduates ($143 vs. $275).
• More Plaza College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 27%)

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.