Salem State University vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to Salem State University or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Salem State University or Central Washington 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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Salem State University vs. Central Washington University comparison
Salem State University Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Salem State University Central Washington University
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Overview

Salem State University Central Washington University
Location Salem, MA Ellensburg, WA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 6,539 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $910 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $23,881
Room & Board $14,954 $13,645
Avg Net Price $19,277 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 73%

Admission

Salem State University Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 6,409
Admitted 4,719 5,992
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 93.5%
Enrolled % 18.3% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.08
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24
SAT Range 986/1210 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2024 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

Salem State University Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 42% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $248 $214

Diversity

Salem State University Central Washington University
% Men 31% 47%
% Women 69% 53%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 59%
% Black 9% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 14%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

Salem State University Central Washington University
% In-State 90% 95%
% Out-of-State 8% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 6,539 students)

Salem State University vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Central Washington University?

  • Central Washington University is 649% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($6,816.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 238.7% higher at Central Washington University than Salem State University ($23,881.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Washington University than Salem State University ($15,864 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 9.6% lower than costs at Salem State University ($13,645 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Central Washington University (99% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 8.5% larger than aid received Salem State University ($9,294 vs. $8,562)

Salem State University vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Salem State University (92.7%)

Salem State University vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or Central Washington 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 Central Washington University and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than Salem State University (56% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $44,400)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $3,263 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($20,737 vs. $24,000)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($214 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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