Lesley University vs. Salem State University

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

Lesley University Salem State University
Location Cambridge, MA Salem, MA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,406 6,539
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lesley.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lesley University Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $30,514 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $30,514 $7,050
Room & Board $19,138 $14,954
Avg Net Price $32,414 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $16,279 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Lesley University Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,144 5,093
Admitted 2,711 4,719
Acceptance Rate 86.2% 92.7%
Enrolled % 8.9% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range 986/1210
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Lesley University Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Lesley University Salem State University
Graduation Rate 49% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,600 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,320 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $251 $248

Diversity

Lesley University Salem State University
% Men 20% 31%
% Women 80% 69%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 68%
% Black 7% 9%
% Hispanic 10% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

Lesley University Salem State University
% In-State 57% 90%
% Out-of-State 38% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Salem State University is larger than than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 3,406 students)

Lesley University vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Lesley University is 3,253.2% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($30,514.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 332.8% higher at Lesley University than Salem State University ($30,514.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem State University than Lesley University ($19,277 vs. $32,414)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 28% lower than costs at Lesley University ($14,954 vs. $19,138)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lesley University than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 90.1% larger than aid received Salem State University ($16,279 vs. $8,562)

Lesley University vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley 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 Lesley University .

  • Accepted freshman Lesley University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Lesley University (86.2%)

Lesley University vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lesley 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 Lesley University.

  • The graduation rate at Lesley University is higher than Salem State University (49% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $5,800 more per year than Lesley University graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $38,600)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $320 lower median federal student loan debt than Lesley University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,320)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Lesley University graduates. ($248 vs. $251)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)

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