Gordon College vs. Salem State University

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

Gordon College Salem State University
Location Wenham, MA Salem, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,628 6,539
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #552 #733
Religious Affiliation Interdenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website gordon.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Gordon College Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $26,010 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $26,010 $7,050
Room & Board $12,150 $14,954
Avg Net Price $24,483 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $15,181 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Gordon College Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,395 5,093
Admitted 1,280 4,719
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 92.7%
Enrolled % 24.8% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.58 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29
SAT Range 1086/1313 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 Feb 1, 2025 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Gordon College Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Gordon College Salem State University
Graduation Rate 74% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,300 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 85% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $248

Diversity

Gordon College Salem State University
% Men 38% 31%
% Women 62% 69%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 68%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 7% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 8% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

Gordon College Salem State University
% In-State 37% 90%
% Out-of-State 54% 8%

Campus

Gordon College 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

  • Salem State University is larger than than Gordon College based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 1,628 students)

Gordon College vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon College or Salem State University?

  • Gordon College is 2,758.2% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($26,010.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 268.9% higher at Gordon College than Salem State University ($26,010.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem State University than Gordon College ($19,277 vs. $24,483)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon College are 23.1% lower than costs at Salem State University ($12,150 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Gordon College than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gordon College students is 77.3% larger than aid received Salem State University ($15,181 vs. $8,562)

Gordon College vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Gordon College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Gordon College (91.8%)

Gordon College vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Gordon College 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 Gordon College.

  • The graduation rate at Gordon College is higher than Salem State University (74% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Gordon College earn on average $900 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($45,300 vs. $44,400)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Gordon College graduates. ($24,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Gordon College graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Gordon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 63%)

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