Salem State University
#6 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 #6 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
- #6 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #7 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
- #7 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #11 Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts
- #16 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #18 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #20 Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
- #20 Best Master's Programs 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.
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
- $87,100
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. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 23%
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Psychology 9%
- Criminal Justice 9%
- Education 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Social Sciences 4%
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