Saint Joseph's College of Maine vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Joseph's College of Maine in Standish, ME 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Joseph's College of Maine is located in Standish, ME (Distant Town setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Joseph's College of Maine 10:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Saint Joseph's College of Maine vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Joseph's College of Maine 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine ($17,541 vs. $28,217).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's College of Maine are 8.6% lower than at Salem State University ($15,384 vs. $16,838).
• Saint Joseph's College of Maine is 260% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $32,082 more per year; $44,420.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 127.4% higher at Saint Joseph's College of Maine than at Salem State University (about $24,889 more per year; $44,420.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Joseph's College of Maine than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Joseph's College of Maine students is 205.8% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($31,558 vs. $10,319).

Saint Joseph's College of Maine vs. Salem State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Joseph's College of Maine 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 Saint Joseph's College of Maine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 20 points higher than at Saint Joseph's College of Maine (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Joseph's College of Maine 960/1150; Salem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Joseph's College of Maine - Test optional; Salem State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Saint Joseph's College of Maine (3.0).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Saint Joseph's College of Maine (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Saint Joseph's College of Maine vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Saint Joseph's College of Maine vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Joseph's College of Maine 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).

• Saint Joseph's College of Maine's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Saint Joseph's College of Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.