Fitchburg State vs. Salem State University

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

Fitchburg State Salem State University
Location Fitchburg, MA Salem, MA
Setting Midsize Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,554 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #549 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fitchburgstate.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fitchburg State Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $970 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $7,050
Room & Board $13,516 $14,954
Avg Net Price $15,535 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $7,093 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 76% 99%

Admission

Fitchburg State Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,084 5,093
Admitted 2,654 4,719
Acceptance Rate 86.1% 92.7%
Enrolled % 18.3% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/28
SAT Range 1020/1220 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

Fitchburg State Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Fitchburg State Salem State University
Graduation Rate 47% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,000 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,685 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $234 $248

Diversity

Fitchburg State Salem State University
% Men 38% 31%
% Women 62% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 68%
% Black 9% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Fitchburg State Salem State University
% In-State 90% 90%
% Out-of-State 10% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Fitchburg State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (6,554 students vs. 6,539 students)

Fitchburg State vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Fitchburg State University is 6.6% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($970.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at Fitchburg State as Salem State University ($7,050.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fitchburg State University than Salem State University ($15,535 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 10.6% lower than costs at Salem State University ($13,516 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 20.7% larger than aid received Fitchburg State University ($8,562 vs. $7,093)

Fitchburg State vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State .

  • Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Fitchburg State (86.1%)

Fitchburg State vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fitchburg State 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 Fitchburg State.

  • The graduation rate at Fitchburg State is higher than Salem State University (47% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $400 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $44,000)
  • Fitchburg State University students graduate with a $1,315 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($22,685 vs. $24,000)
  • Fitchburg State graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($234 vs. $248)
  • More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 63%)

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