CCSU vs. Salem State University

Should I go to Central Connecticut State University or Salem State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CCSU 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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Central Connecticut State University vs. Salem State University comparison
Central Connecticut State University Salem State University College 3 College 4
Central Connecticut State University Salem State University
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Overview

CCSU Salem State University
Location New Britain, CT Salem, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,468 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #540 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ccsu.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CCSU Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $6,470 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $19,358 $7,050
Room & Board $12,464 $14,954
Avg Net Price $17,088 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $6,212 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 99%

Admission

CCSU Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,302 5,093
Admitted 5,601 4,719
Acceptance Rate 76.7% 92.7%
Enrolled % 22.4% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 940/1160 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 Aug 26, 2025 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

CCSU Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

CCSU Salem State University
Graduation Rate 47% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $248

Diversity

CCSU Salem State University
% Men 51% 31%
% Women 49% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 65% 68%
% Black 12% 9%
% Hispanic 13% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

CCSU Salem State University
% In-State 92% 90%
% Out-of-State 7% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Connecticut State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,468 students vs. 6,539 students)

CCSU vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Central Connecticut State University is 611% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($6,470.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 174.6% higher at CCSU than Salem State University ($19,358.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Connecticut State University than Salem State University ($17,088 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Connecticut State University are 20% lower than costs at Salem State University ($12,464 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Central Connecticut State University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 37.8% larger than aid received Central Connecticut State University ($8,562 vs. $6,212)

CCSU vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCSU 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 CCSU .

  • Accepted freshman CCSU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than CCSU (76.7%)

CCSU vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CCSU 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 CCSU.

  • The graduation rate at CCSU is higher than Salem State University (47% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Central Connecticut State University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $44,400)
  • Central Connecticut State University students graduate with a $1,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $24,000)
  • CCSU graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($232 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)

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