Arkansas State University vs. Salem State University

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or Salem State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or Salem State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. Salem State University comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus Salem State University College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus Salem State University
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Overview

Arkansas State University Salem State University
Location Jonesboro, AR Salem, MA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 13,190 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #859 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website astate.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas State University Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $6,888 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $12,744 $7,050
Room & Board $10,100 $14,954
Avg Net Price $12,011 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $11,225 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Arkansas State University Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,045 5,093
Admitted 4,202 4,719
Acceptance Rate 69.5% 92.7%
Enrolled % 31.5% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 980/1200 986/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Arkansas State University Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Arkansas State University Salem State University
Graduation Rate 38% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,000 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $201 $248

Diversity

Arkansas State University Salem State University
% Men 35% 31%
% Women 65% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 74% 68%
% Black 14% 9%
% Hispanic 2% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Arkansas State University Salem State University
% In-State 81% 90%
% Out-of-State 12% 8%

Campus

Arkansas State University Salem State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (13,190 students vs. 6,539 students)

Arkansas State University vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or Salem State University?

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is 656.9% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($6,888.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 80.8% higher at Arkansas State University than Salem State University ($12,744.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Salem State University ($12,011 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 48.1% lower than costs at Salem State University ($10,100 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 31.1% larger than aid received Salem State University ($11,225 vs. $8,562)

Arkansas State University vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or Salem State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Salem State University or Arkansas State University .

  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)

Arkansas State University vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas State University or Salem State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Salem State University and Arkansas State University.

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (42% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $8,400 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($19,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($201 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/