Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,989 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Art and Design 9:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Massachusetts College of Art and Design 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($17,541 vs. $24,864).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 13.3% lower than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($16,838 vs. $19,412).
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design is 24.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $3,062 more per year; $15,400.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.2% higher at Massachusetts College of Art and Design than at Salem State University (about $23,869 more per year; $43,400.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Art and Design students is 1% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($10,421 vs. $10,319).

Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs. Salem State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Massachusetts College of Art and Design 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSalem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Massachusetts College of Art and Design - Test-free; Salem State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Massachusetts College of Art and Design Feb 1, 2027; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Massachusetts College of Art and Design students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Massachusetts College of Art and Design (76.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Massachusetts College of Art and Design 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).

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $38,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($248 vs. $261).
• More Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.