Academic Comparison between Salem State and Wellesley

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

  • Salem State is a public and Wellesley is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Wellesley has more expensive tuition & fees ($67,176) than Salem State ($19,531).
  • It is harder to admit to Wellesley than Salem State.
  • Salem State has more students with 6,230 students while Wellesley has 2,407 students.
  • Wellesley has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while Salem State's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Wellesley has more full-time faculties with 332 faculties while Salem State has 296 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Salem State Wellesley
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Salem State Universityvs.Wellesley College
Salem, MassachusettsLocationWellesley, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences
In-State$12,338
Out-Of-State$19,531
2025 Tuition & Fees$67,176
72%% Receiving Financial Aid56%
$10,493Average Amount of Financial Aid$62,320
95.88 %Acceptance Rates14.05 %
11.25 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)47.63 %
-SAT Score1,520
-ACT Score34
50 %Graduation Rate92 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
75 %Retention Rate96 %
6,230Student Population2,407
296Number of Faculties332
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), 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