Florida A&M vs. Salem State University

Deciding between Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Salem State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Salem State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Florida A&M Tallahassee, FL
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • Florida A&M Midsize City
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Florida A&M 9,313
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • Florida A&M Public 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Florida A&M #824
  • Salem State University #779
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Florida A&M -
  • Salem State University -
  • Status
  • Florida A&M Non-profit
  • Salem State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Florida A&M
  • Salem State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Florida A&M $5,785
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Florida A&M $17,725
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & Board
  • Florida A&M $12,328
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average Net Price
  • Florida A&M $13,819
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Florida A&M $10,139
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Florida A&M 81%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Florida A&M 22,756
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • Florida A&M 4,678
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Florida A&M 20.6%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Florida A&M 30.5%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Florida A&M 1110
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Florida A&M 22
  • Salem State University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Florida A&M 3.65
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Florida A&M A-
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Florida A&M Very Easy
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Florida A&M Very High
  • Salem State University
  • ACT Range
  • Florida A&M 20/24
  • Salem State University
  • SAT Range
  • Florida A&M 1030/1180
  • Salem State University 990/1160
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Florida A&M Required
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Florida A&M May 1, 2027
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Florida A&M 14:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Florida A&M
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Florida A&M 40%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Florida A&M $43,600
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Florida A&M 32%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Florida A&M $28,500
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Florida A&M $294
  • Salem State University $248
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Florida A&M 34%
  • Salem State University 33%
  • % Women
  • Florida A&M 66%
  • Salem State University 67%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Florida A&M Extremely Low
  • Salem State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Florida A&M Yes
  • Salem State University No
  • % White
  • Florida A&M 3%
  • Salem State University 68%
  • % Asian
  • Florida A&M 1%
  • Salem State University 3%
  • % Black
  • Florida A&M 91%
  • Salem State University 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • Florida A&M 2%
  • Salem State University 12%
  • % Native American
  • Florida A&M 0%
  • Salem State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Florida A&M 0%
  • Salem State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Florida A&M 2%
  • Salem State University 3%
  • % International
  • Florida A&M 1%
  • Salem State University 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Florida A&M 0%
  • Salem State University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Florida A&M 68%
  • Salem State University 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Florida A&M 30%
  • Salem State University 11%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Florida A&M Yes
  • Salem State University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Florida A&M No
  • Salem State University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Florida A&M Yes
  • Salem State University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Florida A&M Yes
  • Salem State University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Florida A&M Yes
  • Salem State University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL with Salem State University in Salem, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,313 students vs. 6,230 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is located in Tallahassee, FL (Midsize City setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 14:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Florida A&M vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida A&M 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 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University than Salem State University ($13,819 vs. $17,541).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University are 26.8% lower than at Salem State University ($12,328 vs. $16,838).
  • Salem State University is 113.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida A&M (about $6,553 more per year; $12,338.00 vs. $5,785.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Salem State University than at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (about $1,806 more per year; $19,531.00 vs. $17,725.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (98% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University students ($10,319 vs. $10,139).

Florida A&M vs. Salem State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Florida A&M 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 Florida A&M .

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (1110) is 30 points higher than at Salem State University (1080).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 1030/1180; Salem State University 990/1160.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University 20/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida A&M - Required; Salem State University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Florida A&M May 1, 2027; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Florida A&M students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Florida A&M (20.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.5% at Florida A&M vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Florida A&M vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida A&M 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).

  • Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's (40%).
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Florida A&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Florida A&M graduates ($24,000 vs. $28,500).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida A&M graduates ($248 vs. $294).
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida A&M students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 32%)

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.