LSUA vs. Salem State University

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

LSUA Salem State University
Location Alexandria, LA Salem, MA
Setting Rural Fringe Large Suburban
Enrollment 5,330 6,239
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #978 #783
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lsua.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

LSUA Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $4,950 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $5,120 $7,050
Room & Board $9,598 $16,378
Avg Net Price $8,081 $19,324
Avg Grant Aid $6,874 $8,241
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 98%

Admission

LSUA Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 706 4,852
Admitted 654 4,637
Acceptance Rate 92.6% 95.6%
Enrolled % 73.7% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/22
SAT Range 880/1140 990/1160
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2026

Academics

LSUA Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (37%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

LSUA Salem State University
Graduation Rate 12% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,700 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,707 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $183 $248

Diversity

LSUA Salem State University
% Men 7% 5%
% Women 10% 17%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 68%
% Black 18% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 12%
% Native American 4% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

LSUA Salem State University
% In-State 90% 90%
% Out-of-State 6% 8%

Campus

LSUA 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

  • Salem State University is larger than than LSUA based on total student enrollment (6,239 students vs. 5,330 students)

LSUA vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Louisiana State University Alexandria is 444% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($4,950.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.7% higher at Salem State University than Louisiana State University Alexandria ($7,050.00 vs. $5,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Alexandria than Salem State University ($8,081 vs. $19,324)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 70.6% lower than costs at Salem State University ($9,598 vs. $16,378)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Louisiana State University Alexandria (98% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 19.9% larger than aid received Louisiana State University Alexandria ($8,241 vs. $6,874)

LSUA vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA 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 LSUA .

  • Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at LSUA (3.16)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than LSUA (92.6%)

LSUA vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, LSUA 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 LSUA.

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria (42% vs. 12%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $8,700 more per year than LSUA graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $35,700)
  • Louisiana State University Alexandria students graduate with a $6,293 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($17,707 vs. $24,000)
  • LSUA graduates are paying $65 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($183 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 46%)

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