C+
Above Average
Score: 58/100

Salem State University

4-Year Public
📍 Salem, Massachusetts 01970
Outcomes
B
70/100
Affordability
C
50/100
Resources
C+
59/100
Experience
B+
78/100
Prestige
D
36/100

Quick Stats

6,239
Total Enrollment
55%
Graduation Rate
74%
Retention Rate
11.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
96%
Acceptance Rate
$19,324
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Salem State University

27% of students live off-campus (not with family), creating consistent rental demand near campus. That's approximately 1,678 students who need housing.

Avg Home Value
$612,213
Avg Monthly Rent
$2,730
1-Year Change
+2.5%
For parents & investors

The Salem State University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $612,213
  • Avg rent near campus: $2,730/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 01901 (3.6% cap, Lynn)

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $910 $7,050
Total Cost (On-Campus) $31,340 $38,323

Financial Aid

99%
Receive Any Aid
48%
Receive Pell Grants
69%
Take Out Loans
$19,324
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$13,384
$30,001 - $48,000$14,747
$48,001 - $75,000$17,712
$75,001 - $110,000$21,398
$110,001+$24,642

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 174 grads/yr Social Work 157 grads/yr Education, General 115 grads/yr Psychology, General 97 grads/yr Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration 92 grads/yr Early Childhood Education and Teaching 85 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 67 grads/yr Biology/Biological Sciences, General 53 grads/yr Elementary Education and Teaching 49 grads/yr English Language and Literature, General 45 grads/yr Health/Health Care Administration/Management 37 grads/yr Accounting 36 grads/yr Occupational Therapy/Therapist 35 grads/yr Marketing/Marketing Management, General 30 grads/yr Finance, General 28 grads/yr Counseling Psychology 28 grads/yr History, General 23 grads/yr Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services 22 grads/yr Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor 20 grads/yr Acting 20 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Salem State University's top programs commonly pursue.

Registered nurses
$94k/yr 3,391,000 jobs
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
$80k/yr 91,600 jobs
Social and community service managers
$78k/yr 219,800 jobs
Social work teachers, postsecondary
$76k/yr 17,100 jobs
Social workers, all other
$69k/yr 81,000 jobs
Healthcare social workers
$68k/yr 193,200 jobs
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
$65k/yr 92,300 jobs
Marriage and family therapists
$64k/yr 77,800 jobs

Student Demographics

6,239
Total Students
67%
Women
78%
Traditional Age (18-24)
27%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 57%
Hispanic 22%
Black 8%
Asian 3%
Two or More 3%
Non-Resident 3%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 57%
Off-Campus (Renters) 27%
With Family 17%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~1,678 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 43%
Hybrid (Some Online) 44%
Fully Online 14%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 78%
25-64 (Adult) 13%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Salem State University?
Salem State University has an acceptance rate of 96%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Salem State University?
Tuition at Salem State University is $910 for in-state students and $7,050 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $19,324.
What is the graduation rate at Salem State University?
The graduation rate at Salem State University is 55%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Salem State University a good school?
Salem State University has a Repit College Score of 58/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Salem State University?
Salem State University has a total enrollment of 6,239 students. Most students (78%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near Salem State University?
Yes! Approximately 27% of students at Salem State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 1,678 students who need rental housing near campus. This represents significant rental demand, which affects housing availability and pricing in the Salem area.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Salem State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Salem State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
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C+
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA · 6,296 students
C+
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA · 5,611 students
C+
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA · 9,550 students
C+
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA · 4,555 students
C+
Framingham State University
Framingham, MA · 4,028 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology