Bluefield State College vs Salem University

Bluefield State College and Salem University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Bluefield State College, a public institution, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. Salem University, a private institution, offers a more selective admissions process, ensuring a higher caliber of incoming students. While Bluefield State College excels in programs like business, education, and social sciences, Salem University shines in fields such as nursing, psychology, and criminal justice. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions between these two institutions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional program offerings, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and goals.
Bluefield State College logo

Bluefield State College

Salem University logo

Salem University

Overview

Location Bluefield, West Virginia Salem, West Virginia
Campus setting Town: Distant Rural: Distant
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Private (For Profit)
Calendar system Semester Non Traditional
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 61.0% 46.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 96.9% Open Admission
Application fees
SAT range 880 - 1110 N/A
ACT range 17 - 23 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 23.0%
Students submitting ACT score 19.0%
Total number of applicants 1,019
Total number of admissions given out 987
Admitted students who chose to enroll 346
Yield rate 35.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A Not required
High school GPA Required N/A
Recommendation letters Not required N/A
High school transcript Not required N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required N/A

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $22,971

Out of state: $30,169
In state: $24,550

Out of state: $24,790
Average net price $11,309 $18,343
Tuition
In state: $8,434

Out of state: $15,632
In state: $12,750

Out of state: $12,990
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,600

Meal plan: $4,800
Room/dormitory: $2,880

Meal plan: $5,520
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

85.0%
Average amount $7,250
100.0%
Average amount $6,047
Students receiving federal student loan 57.0%
Average amount $5,367
92.0%
Average amount $6,308
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $7,360
1.0%
Average amount $14,583

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,358
Men 39.8% Women 60.2%
782
Men 47.1% Women 52.9%
Graduate students N/A 209
Men 45.0% Women 55.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A N/A
International students 0.8% 12.1%
Campus local/setting Town: Distant Rural: Distant
Dormitory capacity 176 366
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Education
  • Liberal Arts
  • Business
  • Business
  • Education
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Health Professions
  • Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio 13:1 17:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 32.3% 31.0%
Dropout rate 48.9% 67.9%
Transferred out 14.7% N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,489
  • Year 2: $48,935
  • Year 3: $51,981
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,859
  • Year 2: $48,041
  • Year 3: $51,131
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,154
  • Year 2: $28,236
  • Year 3: N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $25,307
  • Year 2: $32,391
  • Year 3: N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,729
  • Year 2: $30,554
  • Year 3: N/A
Social Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $20,986
  • Year 2: $26,933
  • Year 3: N/A
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $37,208
  • Year 3: N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision (Post-Baccalaureate Certificates)
  • Year 1: $60,949
  • Year 2: $57,705
  • Year 3: $60,253
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,404
  • Year 2: $52,643
  • Year 3: $55,685
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $47,540
  • Year 2: $41,342
  • Year 3: $42,478
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,271
  • Year 2: $29,685
  • Year 3: $31,840
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,737
  • Year 2: $32,925
  • Year 3: $30,555
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $23,649
  • Year 3: $29,215
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,294
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $52,538
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $31,848
  • Year 3: N/A