Lesley University vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, MA with Salem State University in Salem, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Lesley University vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University 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 Salem State University than Lesley University ($17,541 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 15.5% lower than at Lesley University ($16,838 vs. $19,920).
• Lesley University is 177.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $21,918 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.4% higher at Lesley University than at Salem State University (about $14,725 more per year; $34,256.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 85.7% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($19,167 vs. $10,319).

Lesley University vs. Salem State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; Salem State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• 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).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Salem State University (95.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Lesley University vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University 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).

• Lesley University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $320 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.