Jacksonville State University vs. Salem State University

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

Jacksonville State University Salem State University
Location Jacksonville, AL Salem, MA
Setting Small Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,632 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #946 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website jsu.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Jacksonville State University Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $9,990 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $19,950 $7,050
Room & Board $8,640 $14,954
Avg Net Price $11,953 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $10,123 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Jacksonville State University Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,570 5,093
Admitted 9,863 4,719
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 92.7%
Enrolled % 19.7% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23
SAT Range 940/1200 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

Jacksonville State University Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Jacksonville State University Salem State University
Graduation Rate 32% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,000 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $240 $248

Diversity

Jacksonville State University Salem State University
% Men 40% 31%
% Women 60% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 68%
% Black 22% 9%
% Hispanic 1% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Jacksonville State University Salem State University
% In-State 72% 90%
% Out-of-State 25% 8%

Campus

Jacksonville State University 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

  • Jacksonville State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,632 students vs. 6,539 students)

Jacksonville State University vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Jacksonville State University is 997.8% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($9,990.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 183% higher at Jacksonville State University than Salem State University ($19,950.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jacksonville State University than Salem State University ($11,953 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jacksonville State University are 73.1% lower than costs at Salem State University ($8,640 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Jacksonville State University than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Jacksonville State University students is 18.2% larger than aid received Salem State University ($10,123 vs. $8,562)

Jacksonville State University vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jacksonville State University 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 Jacksonville State University .

  • Accepted freshman Jacksonville State University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Jacksonville State University (78.5%)

Jacksonville State University vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Jacksonville State University 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 Jacksonville State University.

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Jacksonville State University (42% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $7,400 more per year than Jacksonville State University graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $37,000)
  • Jacksonville State University students graduate with a $750 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($23,250 vs. $24,000)
  • Jacksonville State University graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($240 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jacksonville State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 39%)

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