Salem State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Salem State University was $910 a year for in-state students and $7,050 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until after graduation.

Does Salem State University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Salem State University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $910 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Don't forget to confirm your state's rules for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Tuition for International Students at Salem State University

Tuition at Salem State University is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Salem State University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

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Salem State University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Salem State University.

House and Food Costs at Salem State University

Housing and campus dining at Salem State University costs $14,251 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Salem State University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Board costs can depend on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Salem State University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Salem State University

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area may be pricey, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Salem State University campus is in a urban setting in Massachusetts, near Boston.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to take into account personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at Salem State University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Salem State University.

How Much Does Salem State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Salem State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$910
Out-of-State Tuition	$7,050
Room and Board	$14,251

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Salem State University

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The majority of Salem State University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 3,823 of the 5,716 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Salem State University meets 58% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,032 a year. Around 82% of Salem State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Salem State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,204 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$25,996
State Loans	$3,103
Private Loans	$0

Most Common Loans for Salem State University Students
Federal Loans	82%
State loans	6%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Salem State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Salem State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Salem State University awarded 2,945 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $19.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $6.6 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Salem State University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Salem State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Salem State University was $11,032 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Salem State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-6,903
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-10,122
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$10,269

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Salem State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Salem State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Salem State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Salem State University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Salem State University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Salem State University

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