Salem State University vs. Culinary Institute of America

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 3,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Culinary Institute of America 18:1.

Salem State University vs. Culinary Institute of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America ($17,541 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Culinary Institute of America are 10.7% lower than at Salem State University ($15,030 vs. $16,838).
• Culinary Institute of America is 223% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $27,512 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Salem State University (about $20,319 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America than at Salem State University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Culinary Institute of America students is 87.5% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($19,350 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. Culinary Institute of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America and Salem State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 20 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; Culinary Institute of America 928/1183.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCulinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; Culinary Institute of America - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Culinary Institute of America students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Culinary Institute of America (91.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 31% at Culinary Institute of America.

Salem State University vs. Culinary Institute of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($155 vs. $248).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.