Salem State's tuition & fees has increased from $15,508 (2015) to $19,531 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 25.94% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $8,514 (year 2015) to $11,069 (year 2025).
Salem State's tuition increase rate is higher than the Massachusetts's average increase rate of 13.51%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 29.14% from 2015 ($30,473).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, Salem State's COA is $39,353, which is increased by 2.69% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to Salem State's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 25.94% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $12,481. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Salem State University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,200, and it has not changed since 2015.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,200 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,200 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $1,200 | |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 34.12% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 14.00% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Salem State University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $13,765 | $13,596 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $14,546 | $13,712 | 5.67% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $14,746 | $14,070 | 1.37% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $15,542 | $14,204 | 5.40% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $15,836 | $14,224 | 1.89% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $16,374 | $14,248 | 3.40% |
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| 2021-22 | $16,374 | $14,248 | |
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| 2022-23 | $16,738 | $14,248 | 2.22% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $18,162 | $14,248 | 8.51% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $18,622 | $15,760 | 2.53% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Salem State University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Salem State University | $19,531
($12,338) | $18,961
($11,978) | 3.01% |
|---|
|
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | $40,449
($17,772) | $39,293
($17,357) | 2.94% |
|---|
|
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | $36,264
($16,966) | $35,396
($16,570) | 2.45% |
|---|
|
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | $38,115
($15,898) | $37,171
($15,495) | 2.54% |
|---|
|
| Bridgewater State University | $17,874
($11,734) | $17,529
($11,389) | 1.97% |
|---|
|
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | $32,567
($15,612) | $31,750
($15,208) | 2.57% |
|---|
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