Salem, Oregon Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Salem, Oregon shows: median public in-state tuition $40,280 (+630.8% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $52,914 (-2.6% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 88.3% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $10,750 (-20.0% vs U.S.) 9,303 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 7 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 9,303 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $40,280 (+630.8% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $52,914 (-2.6% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 88.3% (+0.4 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $25,121 (+152.0% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $10,750 (-20.0% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $11,750
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 60.6%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 82.1%
Download the data
Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Salem, Oregon—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Oregon and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Salem vs Oregon & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, Oregon | $40,280 | $25,121 | $10,750 | 60.6% | 9,303 |
| Oregon (state median) | $6,345 | $10,548 | $13,595 | 55.1% | 159,039 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Salem, Oregon vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, Oregon | $52,914 | 88.3% | 82.1% | 3.6% | — | 79.2% | 0.42 |
| Oregon (state median) | $60,172 | 89.5% | 79.5% | 3.7% | — | 76.2% | 0.37 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Oregon (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, Oregon | $40,280 | $25,121 | $10,750 | 60.6% | 9,303 | $52,914 | 88.3% |
| Portland | $18,430 | $28,810 | $16,562 | 73.4% | 43,259 | $62,205 | 85.8% |
| Portland | $18,430 | $28,810 | $16,562 | 73.4% | 43,259 | $62,205 | 85.8% |
| Eugene | $16,878 | $21,194 | $21,820 | 53.9% | 27,134 | $57,474 | 89.3% |
| Bend | $9,308 | $13,504 | $12,000 | 55.6% | 4,979 | $64,010 | 89.9% |
| Medford | $7,168 | $23,864 | $7,564 | 0.0% | 149 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
-
Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 71.2%, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 60.6%, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 89.1%, Corban University
Corban University
-
Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 87.5%, Willamette University
Willamette University
Top 10 most selective colleges in Salem, Oregon (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
-
Rank 1, Admission Rate, 77.1%, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 93.9%, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
-
Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $80,077, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $43,558, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
-
Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $100,650, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $60,719, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,735, Corban University
Corban University
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,932, Willamette University
Willamette University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,849, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $46,377, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $56,911, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $48,917, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $127,148, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $101,107, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Salem, Oregon (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
-
Rank 1, Net Price, $25,121, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, Net Price, $28,035, Corban University
Corban University
Top 10 colleges in Salem, Oregon by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 86.5%, Willamette University
Willamette University
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 77.7%, Corban University
Corban University
In-state tuition: Salem, Oregon vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Salem, Oregon median in-state tuition is $40,280, +630.8% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Salem, Oregon vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Salem, Oregon is $10,750 (-20.0% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $11,750.
Median earnings (10 years out): Salem, Oregon vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Salem, Oregon center around $52,914 (-2.6% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Salem, Oregon vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 88.3% at the median Salem, Oregon campus (+0.4 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Salem, Oregon median public in-state tuition is $40,280, about +630.8% vs the national median. Versus the Far West region, tuition is +1126.5%.
Median graduate debt is $10,750 (-20.0% below the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Salem, Oregon are $52,914, about -2.6% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 88.3% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+0.4 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 82.1% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 3.6% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 79.2% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Corban University (89.1%), Willamette University (87.5%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Salem, Oregon is 60.6% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Salem?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 7 campuses in Salem, Oregon with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Salem?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Salem is $40,280 and median net price is $25,121. For Oregon overall, medians are $6,345 and $10,548; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Salem?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Salem is $52,914 vs $60,172 for Oregon and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Salem colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Salem is $10,750 vs $13,595 for Oregon and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Salem?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Willamette University (graduation) and Willamette University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Salem?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 7 campuses in Salem, Oregon, 2 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Chemeketa Community College and Johnny Matthew's Hairdressing Training School; 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Baptist (1).
Sources & related
- Oregon college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON