VSU vs. Salem International University

Should I go to Virginia State University or Salem International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if VSU or Salem International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Virginia State University vs. Salem International University comparison
Virginia State University Salem International University College 3 College 4
Virginia State University
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Overview

 VSU Salem International University
Location Petersburg, VA Salem, WV
Setting Large Suburban Distant Rural
Enrollment 5,190 894
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #930
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website vsu.edu salemu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 VSU Salem International University
Tuition (In State) $5,540 $10,200
Tuition (Out of State) $17,038 $13,200
Room & Board $12,966 $8,400
Avg Net Price $16,184 $11,626
Avg Grant Aid $12,300 $9,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 100%

Admission

 VSU Salem International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,577 -
Admitted 9,424 -
Acceptance Rate 89.1% Open
Enrolled % 15.4% Open
Avg High School GPA 2.85 -
Typical High School Grades B- -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 14/20
SAT Range 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

 VSU Salem International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Education (4%)

Outcomes

 VSU Salem International University
Graduation Rate 40% 14%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,700 $33,600
Making Student Loan Payments 28% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,500 $26,618
Median Loan Payment $305 $275

Diversity

 VSU Salem International University
% Men 3% 10%
% Women 4% 12%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very High
HBCU Yes No
% White 3% 39%
% Black 87% 24%
% Hispanic 2% 9%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 0% 8%
% Unknown Race 7% 17%

Students

 VSU Salem International University
% In-State 66% 19%
% Out-of-State 33% 63%

Campus

 VSU Salem International University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Virginia State University is larger than than Salem International University based on total student enrollment (5,190 students vs. 894 students)

VSU vs. Salem International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU or Salem International University?

  • Salem International University is 84.1% more expensive to attend than VSU for in-state tuition ($10,200.00 vs. $5,540.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.1% higher at VSU than Salem International University ($17,038.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem International University than VSU ($11,626 vs. $16,184)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem International University are 54.4% lower than costs at Virginia State University ($8,400 vs. $12,966)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem International University than Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia State University students is 25.4% larger than aid received Salem International University ($12,300 vs. $9,811)

Which college is harder to get into, VSU or Salem International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Salem International University or VSU .

VSU vs. Salem International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, VSU or Salem International University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Salem International University and VSU.

  • The graduation rate at VSU is higher than Salem International University (40% vs. 14%)
  • Graduates from Virginia State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Salem International University graduates after ten years. ($36,700 vs. $33,600)
  • Salem International University students graduate with a $2,882 lower median federal student loan debt than VSU graduates. ($26,618 vs. $29,500)
  • Salem International University graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than VSU graduates. ($275 vs. $305)
  • More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem International University students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/