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Salem State University
Admission at Salem State University is close to open (95.9%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $56,662 median earnings below before the application.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Salem State University occupies suburban Salem, MA — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $95,550 four years out. 35.4% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 4,291 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 75.3% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 990 and 1160 — below the MA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Salem State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Salem State University received 4,852 applications and admitted 4,637 (95.6%), with 810 enrolling.
Scores help here but aren't the gate. If your SAT sits inside the 990–1160 submitter range, sending it likely helps; below it, Salem State University's own policy says you can leave it out.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 510 | 560 | 590 |
| SAT Math | 480 | 530 | 570 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Salem State University compares
| Salem State University | Massachusetts median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 95.9% | 70.7% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $12,338 | $46,700 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $56,662 | $62,832 | $53,781 |
At $56,662, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($62,832). Look at Salem State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $12,338 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $19,531. For non-residents, Salem State University's $19,531 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 4,291 undergrads, Salem State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
49.8% graduate within six years. Roughly 50% don't — ask a Salem State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Salem State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $95,550 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $92,380 |
| Chemistry | $81,266 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,789 |
| Biology, General | $67,551 |
| Mathematics | $61,259 |
| Social Work | $60,026 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $59,774 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $59,424 |
| Geography and Cartography | $58,593 |
| Political Science and Government | $58,499 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $56,509 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $55,808 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $55,323 |
| Psychology, General | $54,717 |
| Sociology | $51,573 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,362 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $50,397 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,260 |
| History | $49,572 |
| Education, General | $45,568 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,621 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $32,484 |
Median earnings for these 23 Salem State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $56,662 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 35 additional Salem State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Salem State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 990–1160 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 95.9% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Salem State University's acceptance rate?
95.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 4,637 admitted from 4,852 applicants.
How much does Salem State University cost?
In-state tuition is $12,338; out-of-state students pay $19,531. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Salem State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $56,662 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Massachusetts
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth — 90.6% admitted
- College of Our Lady of the Elms — 85.3% admitted
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts — 89.7% admitted
- Wentworth Institute of Technology — 91.2% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.