Academic Comparison between Amherst and Salem State

Amherst College and Salem State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Amherst is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Amherst, MA and Salem State is a four-year, public school located in Salem, MA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Amherst is a private (not-for-profit) and Salem State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Amherst has more expensive tuition & fees ($70,480) than Salem State ($19,531).
  • It is harder to admit to Amherst than Salem State.
  • Salem State has more students with 6,230 students while Amherst has 1,914 students.
  • Amherst has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while Salem State's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Salem State has more full-time faculties with 296 faculties while Amherst has 282 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Amherst Collegevs.Salem State University
Amherst, MassachusettsLocationSalem, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$70,4802025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,338
Out-Of-State$19,531
62%% Receiving Financial Aid72%
$67,234Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,493
9.01 %Acceptance Rates95.88 %
38.77 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.25 %
1,540SAT Score-
34ACT Score-
94 %Graduation Rate50 %
3 %Transfer-out Rate-
97 %Retention Rate75 %
1,914Student Population6,230
282Number of Faculties296
6 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services