Home / Worth-It Scores / West Virginia / Salem
Is Salem University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Salem, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Heavy lift
Salem lands in the heavy lift band for a typical family. The combination of $12,303 in yearly net price and $24,694 in median debt asks a lot relative to median earnings of $34,642. For context, Salem's net price sits about 55% below the typical 4-year, private for-profit school. This does not make the school wrong for every student, but it does mean the price deserves a closer test.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 186 similar 4-year, private for-profit schools
This school
$11,626
/yrAverage school like this
$25,582
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $13,956 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $56,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$12,303
Median earnings 10 years out
$34,642
Median debt at graduation
$24,694
Graduation rate
24%
At Salem, a typical graduate carries about $24,694 in student debt and earns roughly $34,642 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $281 per month, or 10% of pre-tax income. That sits at the tighter end of a workable borrower range.
What this means for your family
Salem is a private for-profit school in Salem, WV. In this category, families usually need to look especially hard at debt, repayment room, and whether the long-run earnings picture justifies the price.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Private for-profit 4-year
American Public University System
Charles Town, WV
Worth-It Score: 67/100
Median net price: $9,597
Private for-profit 4-year
University of Phoenix-Arizona
Phoenix, AZ
Worth-It Score: 46/100
Median net price: $13,520
Private for-profit 4-year
Columbia Southern
Orange Beach, AL
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $14,580
Private for-profit 4-year
American InterContinental University System
Chandler, AZ
Worth-It Score: 41/100
Median net price: $15,172
Private for-profit 4-year
Crestpoint
Phoenix, AZ
Worth-It Score: 49/100
Median net price: $15,670
Common questions about Salem
The median net price at Salem is $12,303 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at for-profit colleges options in West Virginia? See the most affordable for-profit colleges in West Virginia →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →