Salem State University vs. Simon's Rock

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than Simon's Rock based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Bard College at Simon's Rock is in Great Barrington, MA (Distant Town setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bard College at Simon's Rock is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Bard College at Simon's Rock 6:1.

Salem State University vs. Simon's Rock Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Simon's Rock? 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 Simon's Rock ($17,541 vs. $41,013).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 10.7% lower than at Bard College at Simon's Rock ($16,838 vs. $18,852).
• Bard College at Simon's Rock is 457.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $56,442 more per year; $68,780.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 252.2% higher at Simon's Rock than at Salem State University (about $49,249 more per year; $68,780.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bard College at Simon's Rock than at Salem State University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bard College at Simon's Rock students is 313.2% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($42,635 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. Simon's Rock Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or Simon's Rock? 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 Simon's Rock and Salem State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; Simon's Rock - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; Simon's Rock Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Simon's Rock students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Simon's Rock has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Salem State University (95.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 53.6% at Simon's Rock.

Salem State University vs. Simon's Rock Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and Simon's Rock? 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).

• Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Simon's Rock graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bard College at Simon's Rock graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($14,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Simon's Rock graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($149 vs. $248).
• More Simon's Rock graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.