Kent State University at Salem
Salem, OH 44460
About Kent State University at Salem
Kent State University at Salem is a public community college in Salem, Ohio, enrolling about 1,164 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $13,799 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $7,492. Student demographics in federal data include White (80.8%) and Black or African American (8.6%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key findings
- Kent State University at Salem charges 36% above the national public median tuition ($7,492).
- Versus the Ohio median, sticker tuition is about 0.5×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 30.87%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,388.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Kent State University at Salem is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 722% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State University at Salem | $7,492 | $13,799 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Ohio (state median) | $15,202 | $12,090 | 154 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Kent State University at Salem really?
Key findings
- Kent State University at Salem charges 36% above the national public median tuition ($7,492).
- Versus the Ohio median, sticker tuition is about 0.5×.
Kent State University at Salem tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $7,492
Finding Kent State University at Salem charges 36% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $7,492. That is 36% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Ohio median ($15,202), sticker tuition is about 0.5×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 37% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Kent State University at Salem versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Kent State University at Salem versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Kent State University at Salem is $13,799.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $13,799 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $1,710 above the Ohio median net price.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Kent State University at Salem, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Kent State University at Salem: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Kent State University at Salem—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$7,492
Out-of-state tuition
$17,342
Avg. net price
$13,799
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $10,684 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,900 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,582 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,624 |
| $110,001+ | $18,045 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $29,968. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Kent State University at Salem is known for
Top program completions
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other55
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist45
- Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching11
- 05.10926
- Insurance6
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Kent State University at Salem a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Kent State University at Salem is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Kent State University at Salem.
Campus
Location
Salem, OH
City / state
- ZIP
- 44460
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Great Lakes
- Carnegie
- Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers
Size
Enrollment
1,164
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 2,626
- Full-time share
- 22%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$24,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 33.48%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Kent State University at Salem.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Kent State University at Salem was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Kent State University at Salem in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,554 | $13,514 | $10,808 |
| 2014 | $5,664 | $13,624 | $11,114 |
| 2015 | $5,664 | $13,864 | $10,429 |
| 2016 | $5,664 | $14,028 | $8,963 |
| 2017 | $5,664 | $14,196 | $10,053 |
| 2018 | $5,834 | $14,332 | $8,925 |
| 2019 | $5,999 | $14,875 | $8,050 |
| 2020 | $6,229 | $15,105 | $8,349 |
| 2021 | $6,758 | $15,634 | $9,243 |
| 2022 | $7,058 | $16,164 | $9,890 |
| 2023 | $7,272 | $16,744 | $11,593 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Kent State University at Salem reported total enrollment of about 1,164 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 29% male and 71% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (80.8%), Black or African American (8.6%), and Two or More Races (4.2%). About 33.48% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
21.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Kent State University at Salem in 2024 is 1,164 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,626 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
47.2%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
0.79% 100% Completion Time
30.87% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 0.79% of students graduating from Kent State University at Salem completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 25% male / 75% female
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist: 9% male / 91% female
- Kindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching: 0% male / 100% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Kent State University at Salem graduates earn a median of $45,388 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Kent State University at Salem.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $45,388. Median federal loan debt: $24,500. Average net price used in cost models: $13,799.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Kent State University at Salem graduates report median earnings of $45,388 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Kent State University at Salem.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (13 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Kent State University at Salem.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Kent State University at Salem graduates.
Institutional resources
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Kent State University at Salem—instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 38.7%
- Ohio median 16.2 pp below median (54.9%)
- Great Lakes median 19.4 pp below median (58.1%)
- U.S. median 19.3 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $8,066
- Ohio median 1.1× the median ($7,463)
- Great Lakes median near the median ($8,046)
- U.S. median 1.1× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,078
- Ohio median 1.2× the median ($7,640)
- Great Lakes median 1.2× the median ($7,690)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
Kent State University at Salem at a glance
Kent State University at Salem
Kent State University at Salem is a public institution in Salem, OH, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Medical Schools and Centers.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, OtherMedical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation TherapistKindergarten/Preschool Education and Teaching
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian80.8%Black or African American8.6%Two or More Races4.2%
- Opportunity College (2025)
- Higher access & higher earnings · Browse OCU directory
Schools near Kent State University at Salem
Other campuses in Salem, OH when available, plus nearby institutions in Ohio.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Ohio, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kent State University at Salem located?
Kent State University at Salem is located in Salem, OH.
What is Kent State University at Salem's tuition?
Kent State University at Salem tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $7,492 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $13,799 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Kent State University at Salem cost?
Reported tuition is $7,492 and average net price is $13,799 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,810 annually.
What explains Kent State University at Salem's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($13,799), completion (30.9% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($45,388). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Kent State University at Salem?
Kent State University at Salem reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,626 students, White (80.8%), Black or African American (8.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Kent State University at Salem?
About 35.9% of students at Kent State University at Salem are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Kent State University at Salem earn?
Median earnings are $40,179 six years after entry and $45,388 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Kent State University at Salem?
The 150%-time completion rate is 30.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Kent State University at Salem students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $24,500.
Is Kent State University at Salem public or private?
Kent State University at Salem is a public institution located in Salem, OH.
Is Kent State University at Salem an HBCU?
No. Kent State University at Salem is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Kent State University at Salem a tribal college?
No. Kent State University at Salem is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.