Dean College vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, 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 Dean College based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Dean College vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean 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 Dean College ($17,541 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 15.2% lower than at Dean College ($16,838 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 277.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $34,188 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.2% higher at Dean College than at Salem State University (about $26,995 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dean College than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 219.4% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($32,958 vs. $10,319).

Dean College vs. Salem State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean 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 Dean College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Salem State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Dean College vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $7,647 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($16,353 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($169 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 53%)

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.