Salem University vs. NCA

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem University in Salem, WV with Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem University is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (1,083 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem University is located in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting); Northwest College of Art & Design is in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem University 19:1; Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1.

Salem University vs. NCA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem University or NCA? 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 NCA ($10,231 vs. $14,818).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 45.4% lower than at Northwest College of Art & Design ($8,400 vs. $15,384).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is 52.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $6,200 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.1% higher at NCA than at Salem University (about $6,200 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem University than at Northwest College of Art & Design (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest College of Art & Design students is 68.1% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($14,406 vs. $8,569).

Salem University vs. NCA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem University or NCA? 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 NCA and Salem University.

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

Salem University vs. NCA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem University and NCA? 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).

• Northwest College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Salem University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem University graduates have a $4,382 lower median loan debt than NCA graduates ($26,618 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem University graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCA graduates ($275 vs. $320).
• More NCA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.