Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Salem State University is a public regional university located in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem State University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Salem State University is in the bottom 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $46,283 10 years after enrolling, 51st in Massachusetts, and in the bottom 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Salem State University bachelor students earn 6% less than the national average. Salem State University is ranked 45th in Massachusetts.
Salem State University’s median net annual cost of $19,017 and average years to graduate of 4.5 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Salem State University sorted by number of graduates - Registered Nursing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Biology, Business Administration, Social Work - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$19,017
Average years to graduate
4.5
History
Rank: #128
Economic score: 5.16
Sociology
Rank: #157
Economic score: 5.81
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #261
Economic score: 5.83
Health & Fitness
Rank: #265
Economic score: 8.31
Geography/Cartography
Rank: #84
Economic score: 9.12
Education
Rank: #34
Economic score: 10.59
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #381
Economic score: 11.38
Mathematics
Rank: #276
Economic score: 12.43
English Language & Lit
Rank: #366
Economic score: 16.94
Geosciences
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 57.52
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Salem State University - Social Work, Education (subject specific), Education, Registered Nursing, Special Education, Clinical / Counseling Psych - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Therapeutic professions
Rank: #24
Economic score: 0.56
Educ. Administration
Rank: #299
Economic score: 0.67
Student Counseling
Rank: #97
Economic score: 0.76
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.5 years. 62% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Salem State University is 10% lower than the state average, and 4% above the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Salem State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 41% of the measured graduating class, 6% higher than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Salem State University graduates within 4.6 years.
Salem State University is in the top 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Salem State University’s economic mobility score of 10.62 is calculated by adjusting the 6.1 economic score of lower-income students by the 41% pell grant recipients within the student body. Salem State University’s EMS of 10.62 ranks in the bottom 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Bottom 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Salem State University pays $19,017 a year, $10,232 less than the $29,249 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $19,017
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Salem State University, 91% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $19,017 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 68% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $6,749. This is 14% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,984
Pell grants
$4,267
State grants
$3,353
Institutional grants
$2,748
Salem State University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 90% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 6,287 applicants, of which 5,659 were admitted and 939 enrolled. Salem State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
While Salem State University has a recommended testing policy, their average test scores are not made public.
Full time
88%
83%
Female
65%
59%
First time
50%
59%
In-state
92%
68%
1st generation
40%
35%
White
58%
52%
Black
9%
14%
Hispanic
20%
15%
Asian
3%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
8%
12%