Salem State University vs. Alvernia University

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

Salem State University Alvernia University
Location Salem, MA Reading, PA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,539 2,484
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #739
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu alvernia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Alvernia University
Tuition (In State) $910 $39,100
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $39,100
Room & Board $14,954 $14,030
Avg Net Price $19,277 $27,091
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $25,757
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Salem State University Alvernia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 5,703
Admitted 4,719 3,365
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 59%
Enrolled % 18.3% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.41
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range
SAT Range 986/1210 996/1170
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Salem State University Alvernia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Alvernia University
Graduation Rate 42% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Salem State University Alvernia University
% Men 31% 35%
% Women 69% 65%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 69%
% Black 9% 13%
% Hispanic 12% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

Salem State University Alvernia University
% In-State 90% 72%
% Out-of-State 8% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Salem State University is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 2,484 students)

Salem State University vs. Alvernia University Cost Comparison

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

  • Alvernia University is 4,196.7% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($39,100.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 454.6% higher at Alvernia University than Salem State University ($39,100.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem State University than Alvernia University ($19,277 vs. $27,091)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alvernia University are 6.6% lower than costs at Salem State University ($14,030 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 200.8% larger than aid received Salem State University ($25,757 vs. $8,562)

Salem State University vs. Alvernia University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or Alvernia University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Alvernia University or Salem State University .

  • Accepted freshman Alvernia University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Alvernia University (59%)

Salem State University vs. Alvernia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or Alvernia 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 Alvernia University and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Alvernia University is higher than Salem State University (53% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Alvernia University earn on average $400 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $44,400)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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