Salem State University
PublicSalem, MA
Located in Salem, MA, Salem State University is a public mid-sized school with roughly 4,291 undergraduates. Admissions are not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants here -- roughly 96% of applicants get in. Its highest-earning reported major is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Health Professions and Related Programs), where graduates report median earnings of $95,550/year four years out. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $7,193 more per year in tuition and fees (1.6x the in-state rate).
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Paying less as an out-of-state student
Salem State University takes part in this regional program, which can cut the out-of-state rate for students from nearby states.
New England Tuition Break
Residents of the other New England states get a reduced out-of-state rate in approved majors. Which majors qualify depends on your home state.
Where do you stand against Salem State University's numbers?
Check your chances hereSee full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Salem State University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is Salem State University's acceptance rate?
Salem State University in Salem, MA admits approximately 96% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
How much does Salem State University cost?
Salem State University's total cost of attendance is reported at $28,291 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does Salem State University offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- Salem State University takes part in the New England Tuition Break, a regional program that lets qualifying out-of-state students pay less than the full out-of-state rate. Eligibility depends on your home state, and the school sets its own requirements.
What is out-of-state tuition at Salem State University?
For 2024-25, Salem State University's published tuition and required fees were $19,531 for out-of-state students and $12,338 for in-state students -- $7,193 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
Does Salem State University require students to live on campus?
No -- Salem State University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
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