Kent State University at Salem vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Salem in Salem, OH with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

West Virginia State University is larger than Kent State University at Salem based on total student enrollment (3,246 students vs. 1,633 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Salem is located in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Salem 26:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 12.7% lower than at West Virginia State University ($11,810 vs. $13,522).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at Kent State University at Salem than at West Virginia State University (about $2,352 more per year; $17,342 vs. $14,990).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia State University than at Kent State University at Salem (88% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia State University students is 75.1% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($8,993 vs. $5,135).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are open admission at Kent State University at Salem, test optional at WVSU.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Kent State University at Salem average a 3.27 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at WVSU (3.24).

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Virginia State University graduates have a $2,575 lower median loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, WVSU graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($240 vs. $267).
• More Kent State University at Salem graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation (46% vs. 35%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.