Colleges in Salem, Virginia
2 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 2 colleges and universities in Salem, Virginia (1 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit). 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 2 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $21,270 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 50.3%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 83% of applicants.
The median net price in Salem runs about $2,204 higher than the Virginia statewide median of $19,066.
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
$21,270
After aid
Median grad rate
50.3%
6-year
Median admission rate
83%
Median enrollment
1,199
Undergrad
All colleges in Salem
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke College Salem, VA | VA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $24,503 | 67.4% | 83% | 1,767 | Complete | |
| American National University Salem, VA | VA | Private for-profit, 4-year | $18,036 | 33.3% | Not available | 630 | Complete |
By institution type
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Salem operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- American National UniversityNet price: $18,036Grad: 33.3%
Private nonprofit (1)
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.
- Roanoke CollegeNet price: $24,503Grad: 67.4%
Top programs in Salem
Most-completed programs across Salem colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Business18.6% of degrees
- Health professions18.4% of degrees
- Parks & recreation7.8% of degrees
- Education7.1% of degrees
- Psychology6.9% of degrees
- Social sciences6.8% of degrees
- Biological sciences6.6% of degrees
- Legal6.3% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Salem
Q.How many colleges are in Salem, Virginia?
There are 2 colleges and universities in Salem, Virginia that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Private for-profit, 1 Private nonprofit.
Q.What is the largest college in Salem?
By undergraduate enrollment, Roanoke College is the largest institution in Salem with roughly 1,767 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Salem?
Based on average net price after aid, American National University is the most affordable institution in Salem at $18,036 per year.
Q.Which Salem college has the highest graduation rate?
Roanoke College reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Salem institutions at 67.4%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Salem?
The median net price across all 2 colleges in Salem is $21,270 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 Business, Health professions, Parks & recreation.
Q.Are there community colleges in Salem?
Salem does not have public 2-year community colleges in the federal dataset; nearby cities in Virginia may offer additional options.
Other cities in Virginia
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.