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Salem State University

Salem State University

Salem, MA · Suburb · 4,291 students
Website Common App Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$15,996
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
52%
Graduation rate
54% typical
$56,662
Earnings 10 years on
$55,177 typical
96%
Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by New England Commission on Higher Education
About

Located in a historic coastal city just north of Boston, Salem State University is one of the largest state institutions in Massachusetts, renowned for its commitment to civic engagement and social mobility. The university is highly regarded for its top-tier programs in nursing, education, and social work, as well as its AACSB-accredited Bertolon School of Business. On campus, a diverse, inclusive student body—including a large percentage of first-generation students—enjoys a vibrant community with easy transit to Boston and Salem's bustling downtown. Distinctively, the university fully embraces its local heritage, offering students unique opportunities to participate in Salem’s world-famous autumn tourism events and rich maritime history.

Wikipedia:Salem State University is a public university in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1854, it is the oldest and largest institute of higher education on the North Shore and is part of the state university system in Massachusetts.

Location
Salem, MA, 01970 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
BOS · Boston
11 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$12,338$19,531
Housing & food (on campus)$16,838$16,838
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$28,291$35,484 est.
Average net price$15,996Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$19,531
In-state: $12,338
Housing & food (on campus)$16,838
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$35,484 est.
In-state: $28,291
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $15,996
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students
$0–30k
$10,516
$30–48k
$13,870
$48–75k
$13,821
$75–110k
$17,590
$110k+
$23,223
Grants from the school
98% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $3,834
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
52%
Within 4 yrs
36%
Back for yr 2
75%
Transferred
0%
Pell students: 47.0% · others: 52.7% 
8 yrs after starting
57% graduated · 23% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 19% left or unknown
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$48,209
10 yrs after entry$56,662
Debt
Median at graduation$25,000
Monthly payment$265
Middle 50% owe$7.8k–$27k
90th percentile$33,700
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
96%
Test policy
Not required
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 94.5% · women 96.5% 
Yield: 11.3% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Salem State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 36%Women 64%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
12 : 1
Pell grant
35%
First-gen
40%
Family income
$43,677
Independent
24%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
13%
Where first-years come from
In state (MA)
86.1%
Out of state
10.8%
International
3.0%

Most out-of-state first-years from: CT 20 · NH 12 · ME 9 · NY 9 · PA 8

Race & ethnicity
White
52%
Hispanic
25%
Black
9%
Asian
3%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
4%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Ice Hockey
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$48,209
After 10 yrs
$56,662
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing163
Psychology, General138
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods74
Criminal Justice and Corrections74
Biology, General67
Marketing56
Business Administration, Management and Operations50
Health and Medical Administrative Services38
Accounting and Related Services35
Social Work31
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions31
Computer and Information Sciences, General29
English Language and Literature, General29
Education, General25
History24
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft21
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$70M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$10,694/mo
Teaching spend
$10,571
per student
Federal loans
49%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Salem State University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search