Public · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts. 4,291 undergraduates. Admits 96% of applicants.

49%Graduation rate6 pts below the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$12,921Average net price per year35% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$62,762Median earnings 10 years after starting7% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$22,250Median debt at graduationAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($22,250) equals 35% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($62,762).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$8,474
$30,000–$48,000$10,094
$48,001–$75,000$10,214
$75,001–$110,000$12,912
Over $110,000$22,319

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $12,708 in-state, $20,117 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate49%54%
Return for second year75%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$54,506$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$62,762$58,912
Median debt at graduation$22,250$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

78 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing174$79,151$96,722$27,000
Chemistry4—$78,087—
Political Science and Government16$43,810$70,283$23,993
Business Administration, Management and Operations43$54,314$69,941$25,000
Biology, General55$49,073$69,314$27,000
Geography and Cartography13$49,990$64,684—
Criminal Justice and Corrections83$52,353$62,959$26,000
Computer and Information Sciences, General25$62,701—$27,375
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences3—$62,155—
Mathematics6—$61,601—
Social Work42$45,002$61,536$27,000
Sociology11$40,365$59,598—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods63—$58,628$22,770
Psychology, General97$45,471$56,723$25,000
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness24$36,447$55,613$26,500
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services0—$55,178—
Communication and Media Studies9$40,532$53,672$27,000
Education, General38$46,530$51,523$24,310
English Language and Literature, General34$29,925$50,619$26,991
History26—$49,482$20,677
Visual and Performing Arts, General—$34,366$49,377$24,984
Fine and Studio Arts8$39,030$45,849$25,500
Health and Medical Administrative Services37$42,830—$27,000
Journalism6———
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication9———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics8———
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies8———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities9———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology2———
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology2———
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution1———
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies9———
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology6———
Fire Protection11———
Economics3———
Dance4———
Design and Applied Arts7———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft31———
Music2———
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions4———
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions26———
Accounting and Related Services26———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations8———
Finance and Financial Management Services28———
Hospitality Administration/Management8———
Human Resources Management and Services11———
International Business7———
Management Information Systems and Services2———
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods6———
Marketing30———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

96%Admission rate
12:1Students per faculty member
41%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Salem State University cost per year?
The average net price at Salem State University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $12,921 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Salem State University graduates earn?
Former Salem State University students earn a median of $62,762 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Salem State University?
49% of Salem State University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Salem State University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Salem State University is $22,250. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.