Colleges in Salem, Oregon
7 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 7 colleges and universities in Salem, Oregon (4 Private for-profit, 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 7 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $25,121 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 66.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 85% of applicants.
The median net price in Salem runs about $7,973 higher than the Oregon statewide median of $17,148.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Salem, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$25,121
After aid
Median grad rate
66.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
85%
Median enrollment
267
Undergrad
All colleges in Salem
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemeketa Community College Salem, OR | OR | Public, 4-year | $8,200 | 21.3% | Not available | 6,610 | Partial | |
| Willamette University Salem, OR | OR | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $25,121 | 71.2% | 77% | 1,592 | Complete | |
| Corban University Salem, OR | OR | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $28,035 | 60.6% | 94% | 678 | Complete | |
| Institute of Technology Salem, OR | OR | Private for-profit, 2-year | $37,376 | 66.4% | Not available | 267 | Partial | |
| Johnny Matthew's Hairdressing Training School Salem, OR | OR | Private for-profit, <2-year | $28,855 | 59.2% | Not available | 60 | Partial | |
| College of Hair Design Careers Salem, OR | OR | Private for-profit, 2-year | $11,236 | 74.2% | Not available | 58 | Partial | |
| Phagans School of Beauty Salem, OR | OR | Private for-profit, 2-year | $11,476 | 78.2% | Not available | 38 | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (4)
Private for-profit colleges in Salem operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Institute of TechnologyNet price: $37,376Grad: 66.4%
- Johnny Matthew's Hairdressing Training SchoolNet price: $28,855Grad: 59.2%
- College of Hair Design CareersNet price: $11,236Grad: 74.2%
- Phagans School of BeautyNet price: $11,476Grad: 78.2%
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Salem are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Willamette UniversityNet price: $25,121Grad: 71.2%
- Corban UniversityNet price: $28,035Grad: 60.6%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Salem are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Chemeketa Community CollegeNet price: $8,200Grad: 21.3%
Top programs in Salem
Most-completed programs across Salem colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts36.2% of degrees
- Health professions12.8% of degrees
- Business8.8% of degrees
- Social sciences4.2% of degrees
- Education3.7% of degrees
- Computer science3.6% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement3.6% of degrees
- Family & consumer sci3.2% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Salem
Q.How many colleges are in Salem, Oregon?
There are 7 colleges and universities in Salem, Oregon that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private for-profit, 2 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Salem?
By undergraduate enrollment, Chemeketa Community College is the largest institution in Salem with roughly 6,610 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Salem?
Based on average net price after aid, Chemeketa Community College is the most affordable institution in Salem at $8,200 per year.
Q.Which Salem college has the highest graduation rate?
Phagans School of Beauty reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Salem institutions at 78.2%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Salem?
The median net price across all 7 colleges in Salem is $25,121 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Salem?
Across Salem colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Health professions, Business.
Q.Are there community colleges in Salem?
Yes — Salem includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Oregon
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Salem that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.