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Salem Oregon downtownPhoto: M.O. Stevens · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Salem

Salem is home to two colleges, with 2,928 students on campus

Willamette University (2,112 students on campus) and Corban University (816) are inside the city, and Chemeketa Community College (5,408) is 4.4 miles from the center, just over the line in Hayesville. About 5% of Salem’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Oregon (6%).

Willamette UniversityChemeketa Community College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Salem. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
11,343 students on campus
Nearest college
0.9 mi
Willamette University
Residents in college
5%
About the same as OR (6%)
Nearest community college
4.4 mi
Chemeketa · $6,345 tuition
Nearest public university
4.4 mi
Chemeketa · $6,345 in-state
Median household income
$75K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Salem

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 4.4 milesWillamette University admits 77% of applicants. Together they have 7,520 students on campus.A community college 4.4 miles awayChemeketa Community College in Salem: tuition and fees $6,345 a year for Oregon residents.In-state price at ChemeketaLiving in Oregon, Chemeketa Community College charges $6,345 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $14,040. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% of residentsAbout the same as Oregon (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Salem

Two private colleges within 4.2 miles, one public college within 11.6 miles, and Chemeketa Community College 4.4 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miChemeketaWestern Oregon UniversityWillamette UniversitySalem
University or collegeCommunity college
Willamette UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,112 on campus · In Salem77%admitted$25knet price71%graduate$57kearningsCorban UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 816 on campus · In Salem94%admitted$28knet price61%graduate$49kearningsChemeketa Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,408 on campus · 4.4 mi · Salem$8knet price21%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $6,345 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Western Oregon UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 3,007 on campus · 11.6 mi · Monmouth98%admitted$17knet price47%graduate$52kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Salem’s median household income ($75,487) falls.

Chemeketa Community College4.4 mi · Salem · sticker $16,151 · tuition $6,345$11,689a year
Western Oregon University11.6 mi · Monmouth · sticker $25,062$17,974a year
Willamette UniversityIn Salem · sticker $67,501$22,382a year
Corban UniversityIn Salem · sticker $52,019$31,227a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Salem: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Willamette UniversityCorban UniversityChemeketaWestern Oregon University
Chemeketa Community College21% graduate$41k earnings$13k typical debt
Western Oregon University47% graduate$52k earnings$21k typical debt
Willamette University71% graduate$57k earnings$22k typical debt
Corban University61% graduate$49k earnings$23k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Salem

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Salem’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Social sciences 16%Interdisciplinary 9%Business 6%Parks & recreation 6%Natural resources 5%Psychology 5%Everything else 52%

Biggest programs

EconomicsWillamette University · 49 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Political Science and GovernmentWillamette University · 35 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralWillamette University · 31 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessWillamette University · 29 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesWillamette University · 22 graduates a year
$70k4 yrs out
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchWillamette University · 18 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsCorban University · 18 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out
English Language and Literature, GeneralWillamette University · 17 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Salem

Is Salem a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Salem residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Oregon (6). The largest campus in the city, Willamette University, has 2,112 students on campus.

What colleges are in Salem?

Willamette University and Corban University are inside the city. Chemeketa Community College is 4.4 miles from the center, in Hayesville.

What is the closest community college to Salem, and what does it cost?

Chemeketa Community College in Salem, 4.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,345 a year for Oregon residents; the federal net price, $8,200, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Chemeketa Community College cost if we live in Oregon?

Tuition and fees are $6,345 a year in-state and $14,040 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,346 (under $30,000 income) to $15,167 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Salem. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →