Anna Maria College vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA with Salem State University in Salem, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than Anna Maria College based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,202 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Anna Maria College is located in Paxton, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Anna Maria College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Anna Maria College 12:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Anna Maria College vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Anna Maria College or Salem State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem State University than Anna Maria College ($17,541 vs. $29,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 5.9% lower than at Anna Maria College ($16,838 vs. $17,892).
• Anna Maria College is 261.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $32,233 more per year; $44,571.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.2% higher at Anna Maria College than at Salem State University (about $25,040 more per year; $44,571.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Anna Maria College than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Anna Maria College students is 213.8% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($32,385 vs. $10,319).

Anna Maria College vs. Salem State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Anna Maria College or Salem State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Salem State University and Anna Maria College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Anna Maria College - Test optional; Salem State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Anna Maria College (2.94).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Anna Maria College (50.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.5% at Anna Maria College vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Anna Maria College vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Anna Maria College and Salem State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Anna Maria College's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Anna Maria College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Anna Maria College graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Anna Maria College graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Anna Maria College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.