Salem State University
#7 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,662 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,996 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.5 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $21.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,313,493.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 39% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Salem State University Matters
Salem State University is a public university in Salem, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,291
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Salem State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,996 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,662 ten years after enrolling — 39% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 31% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 96%, Salem State University is an accessible choice for many students seeking a supportive environment. This school is particularly well-suited for those interested in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or Education. The diverse academic offerings cater to a wide range of interests, making it a practical option for students who want to explore various fields before settling on a career path.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $56,662 within ten years. This figure illustrates the potential for a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordability of the school. The cost of attendance after aid is around $15,996, which can be a reasonable figure when compared to the earnings graduates can achieve. This balance suggests that many graduates find a pathway to financial stability, even if the graduation rate stands at 52%.
When it comes to the financial aspect, the median debt for graduates is $25,000, which is manageable for many. With 35% of students receiving Pell Grants, Salem State University strives to support those who may need it most. Students who tend to thrive here often appreciate a practical approach to education, valuing a balance of academic rigor and real-world application. This is a place where hard work can lead to meaningful opportunities.
Rankings
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #9 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #10 Best Communications Colleges in Massachusetts
- #17 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #17 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #17 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
- #18 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Salem State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Salem State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Salem State University, located in Salem, Massachusetts, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,694
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 5,093
- Admitted
- 4,719
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Salem State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Salem State University is $19,531, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,996. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,516 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,338
- Out-of-State
- $19,531
- Avg Net Price
- $15,996
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,516
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,870
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,821
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,223
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Salem State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Salem State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Salem State University earn a median of $56,662, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,209
- 8 Years
- $54,540
- 10 Years
- $56,662
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.44x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (490)
- 43%
- 100% (490)
- 43%
- 100% (490)
- 43%
- 100% (490)
- 43%
How Salem Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Salem State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Salem State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,996/year ($63,984 total). Graduates earn $56,662 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,377,477 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,313,493 (21.5× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $63,984
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,377,477
- Net Return
- $1,313,493
- ROI Multiple
- 21.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,996
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Salem State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Salem State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.93%, well above the typical college. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.93%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 27.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,338
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,131,228
- Federal Grants
- $2,016,259
- Investment Income
- $-5,895,659
Top Programs
The fields Salem State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 18% $82,295 early-career
- Business & Marketing 17% $51,482 early-career
- Psychology 10% $42,187 early-career
- Criminal Justice 8% $43,110 early-career
- Education 8% $37,680 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $49,082 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $35,075 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $38,438 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Salem State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Salem State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Salem State University, located in Salem, Massachusetts, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Salem State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Salem State University is $19,531, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,996. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,516 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Salem State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Salem State University earn a median of $56,662, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Salem State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Salem State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.93%, well above the typical college. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 27.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Salem State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Salem State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Salem State University.
- Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN · Close peer44% grad $55,813 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA · Close peer44% grad $56,148 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT · Close peer51% grad $59,115 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX · Close peer51% grad $59,004 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio, TX · Close peer51% grad $56,733 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Midwestern State UniversityWichita Falls, TX · Close peer42% grad $55,747 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Salem State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Salem State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note