Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

Compare Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Lakewood, CO with Salem University in Salem, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is larger than Salem University based on total student enrollment (2,061 students vs. 1,083 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is located in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 13:1; Salem University 19:1.

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design ($10,231 vs. $31,752).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 61.7% lower than at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design ($8,400 vs. $21,944).
• Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is 69.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $8,290 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.7% higher at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design than at Salem University (about $8,290 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem University than at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem University students is 57.8% larger than aid received by Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design students ($8,569 vs. $5,429).

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 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 Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design - Open admission; Salem University - Open admission.

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 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).

• Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Salem University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $32,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem University graduates have a $4,070 lower median loan debt than Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates ($26,618 vs. $30,688).
• Among borrowers, Salem University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates ($275 vs. $317).
• More Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.