Salem State University vs. CHC

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than CHC based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,288 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Chestnut Hill College is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chestnut Hill College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Chestnut Hill College 10:1.

Salem State University vs. CHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or CHC? 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 CHC ($17,541 vs. $28,588).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chestnut Hill College are 25.2% lower than at Salem State University ($12,600 vs. $16,838).
• Chestnut Hill College is 223.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $27,532 more per year; $39,870.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.1% higher at CHC than at Salem State University (about $20,339 more per year; $39,870.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chestnut Hill College than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chestnut Hill College students is 186.8% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($29,590 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. CHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or CHC? 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 CHC and Salem State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 80 points higher than at CHC (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; Chestnut Hill College 900/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; CHC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at CHC (3.12).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than CHC (74.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 7.2% at CHC.

Salem State University vs. CHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and CHC? 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).

• Chestnut Hill College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Chestnut Hill College earn a median of about $900 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $2,481 lower median loan debt than CHC graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,481).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CHC graduates ($248 vs. $273).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CHC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 47%)

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.