Design Institute of San Diego vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

Compare Design Institute of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Salem University in Salem, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem University is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (1,083 students vs. 94 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Design Institute of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Design Institute of San Diego 8:1; Salem University 19:1.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Design Institute of San Diego 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 Design Institute of San Diego ($10,231 vs. $44,010).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 62% lower than at Design Institute of San Diego ($8,400 vs. $22,086).
• Design Institute of San Diego is 146.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $17,400 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.2% higher at Design Institute of San Diego than at Salem University (about $17,400 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Design Institute of San Diego as at Salem University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Design Institute of San Diego students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($11,901 vs. $8,569).

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Design Institute of San Diego 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 Design Institute of San Diego.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Design Institute of San Diego - Open admission; Salem University - Open admission.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Design Institute of San Diego 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).

• Design Institute of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Design Institute of San Diego earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Salem University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,900 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem University graduates have a $13,967 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($26,618 vs. $40,585).
• Among borrowers, Salem University graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($275 vs. $419).
• More Design Institute of San Diego graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.