Salem State Universitycollege in Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts · Public, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$15,996
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
49.8%
Admission rate
96%
Undergrad size
4,291
In-state tuition
$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
$19,531
Cost of attendance
$28,291
Median earnings (10y)
$56,662
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,090
- ACT midpoint
- 21
- Retention
- 75.3%
- Locale
- Suburb
Programs breakdown
19 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (26%), health (23%), business (16%).
- STEM9%
- Health23%
- Business16%
- Humanities & arts14%
- Social sciences26%
- Trades & services12%
- Health professions23.0%~988 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Business16.2%~696 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Psychology9.0%~387 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~375 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Education8.6%~371 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~243 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~194 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~173 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- English3.8%~165 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences3.8%~165 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~136 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Computer science2.4%~103 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History2.3%~99 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Communication2.2%~95 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts0.7%~29 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~29 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~25 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics0.4%~16 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~4 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 318 | $68,690 | $28,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 283 | $33,517 | $26,435 |
| Social Work. | Master's | 249 | $50,049 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 155 | $47,960 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 155 | $39,277 | $26,220 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 152 | — | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 129 | $37,411 | $27,000 |
| Education, General. | Graduate certificate | 125 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 104 | $42,434 | $27,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 103 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 100 | $59,356 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 94 | $48,859 | — |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 79 | $36,115 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 79 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor's | 76 | — | $26,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Bachelor's | 71 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 68 | $50,461 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 61 | $27,497 | $27,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 56 | $29,902 | $27,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 55 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 49 | $42,114 | — |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 46 | $47,191 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master's | 46 | $61,511 | — |
| Geography and Cartography. | Bachelor's | 44 | $31,040 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 43 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 40 | $29,329 | $27,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 39 | $46,645 | — |
| Education, General. | Bachelor's | 38 | $32,059 | $27,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 37 | $33,933 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master's | 37 | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 36 | $90,183 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 33 | $69,242 | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 32 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor's | 28 | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor's | 27 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master's | 26 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Master's | 26 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor's | 24 | $36,789 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Bachelor's | 24 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 24 | $37,013 | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Salem State University
Salem State University is a mid-sized institution located in Salem, Massachusetts, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 4,291 undergraduate students in a suburb setting. The most popular fields of study include Health professions, Business, Psychology.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Salem State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $15,996 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $12,338 for in-state students and $19,531 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $28,291 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 49.8%, a average completion outcome. 75.3% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $56,662 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Salem State University confers degrees and certificates across 19 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Health professions, Business, Psychology. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (26% of credentials), health (23% of credentials), business (16% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Salem State University accepts 96% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,090. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 21.
Location & campus
Set in Salem, Massachusetts (suburb), Salem State University draws students from across Massachusetts and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Salem State University
Q.How much does Salem State University cost?
The average net price at Salem State University is $15,996 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $28,291.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Salem State University?
Salem State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 49.8% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Salem State University?
Salem State University admits 96% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Salem State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Salem State University graduate earns $56,662 per year.
Q.What programs does Salem State University offer?
Salem State University offers degrees across 12 program areas. The most popular by share of graduates are Health professions, Business, Psychology.
Q.What is tuition at Salem State University?
Published tuition is $12,338 in-state and $19,531 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Salem State University located?
Salem State University is located in Salem, Massachusetts (ZIP 01970).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Salem State University at their official website.