Salem State Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 95.88%. Not very selective
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $12,338
- Out-of-State Tuition: $19,531
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at Salem State:
- Total Enrollment: 6,230, including 836 online students
- 4,867 Undergraduate, 1,363 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 33.5% men, 66.5% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 50%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 75%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 153 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 15 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 34 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Bachelor's, Master's.
Salem State Overview
Salem State University (Salem State) is a four-year, public school located in Salem, MA. It is classified as Master's College and University with larger programs by Carnegie Classification, also known as M1 Master's College. You can compare their tuition and admission statistics at M1 Master's College comparison page.
The Salem State's tuition & fees is $12,338 for Massachusetts residents and $19,531 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 72% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $10,493.
The school has a total enrollment of 6,230 and the students to faculty ratio is 12 to 1 (8.33%).
Salem State's acceptance rate is 95.88% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 11.25%.
Salem State ranked 30th in Massachusetts Colleges rankings. Salem State University is accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Salem State University is $12,338 for in-state students and $19,531 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $9,360 for in-state students and $11,069 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $12,709 for Massachusetts residents and $20,118 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $9,640 for Massachusetts residents and $11,401 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $12,338 | $19,531 |
|---|
| Graduate | $9,360 | $11,069 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $12,709 | $20,118 |
|---|
| Graduate | $9,640 | $11,401 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Salem State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at Salem State
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army, Air Force |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Salem State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing Salem State