Public Institution Salem, MA
Salem State University
Four-year college
Salem State University is a open-access public four-year college in Salem, MA, focused on bachelor’s-level study with a suburban campus setting, with about 4,291 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 95.9%, typical net price of $15,996 after grants, first-year retention of 75.2%, about 49.8% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $48,209 six years after enrollment.
Grade for Salem State University
Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.
Overall grade
C
Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.
$15,996Average net price
49.8%Graduation rate
$48,209Median earnings, 6 years after entry
35.4%Pell Grant recipient share
Key facts for Salem State University
Key rankings for Salem State University
Where Salem State University ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#585 of 1,811
Net Price
#690 of 1,816
Earnings
#979 of 1,808
Retention
#1,124 of 1,850
Graduation
#1,083 of 1,767
Debt
What stands out at Salem State University
Salem State University in Salem, MA is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.
- Large suburb
- 4,291 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Average net price after aid is lower than or close to the national median for similar schools, while six-year earnings meet or beat that median. On these two measures the pattern is comparatively favorable.
First-year retention is closer to the national average for similar schools than graduation is to the national median—a pattern that can reflect transfers, stop-outs, or uneven progress to a credential.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Salem State University
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is below the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is below the national median of $26,816.
Average net price by family income for full-time, first-time undergraduates.
How Salem State University compares
Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: New England (region 1).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (MA) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $15,996Below national median | $26,706 | $25,381 | $19,923 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $48,209Above national median | $51,578 | $50,233 | $45,225 |
| Retention | 75.2%About the same | 83.8% | 80.2% | 74.9% |
| Graduation | 49.8%Below national median | 68.2% | 64.9% | 54.4% |
| Acceptance rate | 95.9%Above national median | 70.3% | 75.3% | 77.0% |
| Pell share | 35.4%Above national median | 23.1% | 25.3% | 33.9% |
| Median debt | $25,000Above national median | $25,000 | $25,000 | $23,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Salem State University
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Salem State University
Common questions about Salem State University, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Salem State University located?
Salem State University is located in Salem, MA. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Salem State University?
Salem State University is a public four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Salem State University (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $12,338 for in-state students and $19,531 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $15,996. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Salem State University's acceptance rate?
The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 95.9% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.
How large is Salem State University's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 4,291. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Salem State University?
Median earnings six years after entry at Salem State University are roughly $48,209. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 49.8% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Salem State University?
Among similar schools nationwide, Salem State University stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#585 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#690 of 1,816); First-year retention (#979 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#1,124 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#1,083 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Salem State University?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Salem State University’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Salem State University Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Salem State University |
| Official website | www.salemstate.edu/ |
| City, state | Salem, MA |
| School type | Four-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,291 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $12,338 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $19,531 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $12,338 |
| Total cost of attendance | $28,291 |
| Room and board (on campus) | $16,838 |
| Average net price | $15,996 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $48,209 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $54,540 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $56,662 |
| Median loan debt | $25,000 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 75.2% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | 49.8% |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | Not reported |
| Acceptance rate | 95.9% |
| SAT average | 1,090 |
| ACT average | Not reported |
| Pell Grant share | 35.4% |
| Share with federal loans | 49.1% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 13.3% |
| Campus setting | Large suburb |
| Student–faculty ratio | 12 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $10,694 |
| Full-time faculty share | 100.0% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | No |
| SAT midpoint, Math | Not reported |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | Not reported |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 63.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 36.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 8.8% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 25.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 52.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 3.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 3.8% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 3.7% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $10,516 |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $13,870 |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $13,821 |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $17,590 |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $23,223 |
Sources for Salem State University
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.