Salem State University

Salem State University Overview

Salem State University is a public, state school in an urban setting in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem State University was founded in 1854 and the school enrolls around 5,716 students per year, which includes 5,716 undergrad students. Salem State University ensures housing for students. The majority of students live on campus but first-year students are not required to live in the dorms.

📆 Mark your calendar! June 1, 2023 is the final deadline to submit an application for the Fall 2023 semester.

Student Activities at Salem State University

Love music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of Salem State University's theater groups.

Interested in joining a fraternity or sorority? Salem State University has both fraternities and sororities.

Planning to play sports? Salem State University has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at Salem State University on the Student Life page.

Is Salem State University a Good School?

There is no one way to define a "good" college or university. Admissions difficulty, admitted student statistics, tuition, and financial aid can provide a sense of how competitive a university is.

Let's take a look at these areas to get a better view of what Salem State University offers and if the college seems like a good fit for you.

2022 Acceptance Rate for Salem State University

Salem State University is not difficult to get into. Around 86% of applicants get into Salem State University each year. Last year, 5,825 students applied to Salem State University and 4,985 were admitted.

Retention and Graduation Rates at Salem State University

Retention refers to the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. It gauges how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.

Out of all the first-year, full-time undergrads who start at Salem State University, around 73% are still enrolled their sophomore year. Salem State Universityhas a six year graduation rate of 57 for undergrads. Compare this to the average six-year graduation rate for colleges and universities in the U.S., which is around 61% for public schools and 67% for private.

Job Outlook Salem State University Graduates

Job placement statistics for recent graduates can give you a sense of the return on investment a school offers.

Check with Salem State University directly, for information on any information on starting salaries for recent grads.

Tuition and Financial Aid at Salem State University

Tuition cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need.

Salem State University meets 58% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Salem State University full-time are awarded $11,032 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $26,204 in student loans for each student with debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.

The 2023-2024 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2022

Some financial aid is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! No one should ever pay to fill out the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid, (FAFSA), so be very wary of anyone asking you for money.

Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at Salem State University.

Based on this information, is Salem State University the school for you? Remember, the best school for one person may not be the right school for another! So ask yourself: Is Salem State University a good school for you?

If Salem State University seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.

Still Researching Schools?

To learn more about Salem State University, choose from the options below:

Admissions

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Salem State University Community Forums

Then use the college admissions predictor to take a data science look at your chances of getting into some of the most selective colleges and universities in the U.S.

Where is Salem State University Located?

Salem State University is located in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, less than an hour from Boston.

If you are interested in seeing Salem State University for yourself, be sure to plan a visit! The best way to reach campus is to take Route 1A to Salem, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Logan International.

You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what Salem State University and Salem are like without leaving home.

Considering Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts?

See a full list of colleges in Massachusetts and save your favorites to your college list.