Salem State University vs. Lehman

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with CUNY Lehman College in Bronx, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY Lehman College is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (13,324 students vs. 6,230 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); CUNY Lehman College is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Lehman College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; CUNY Lehman College 15:1.

Salem State University vs. Lehman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Lehman? 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 CUNY Lehman College than Salem State University ($3,961 vs. $17,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 24.4% lower than at CUNY Lehman College ($16,838 vs. $22,260).
• Salem State University is 66.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lehman (about $4,928 more per year; $12,338.00 vs. $7,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Salem State University than at CUNY Lehman College (about $4,171 more per year; $19,531.00 vs. $15,360.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at CUNY Lehman College (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by CUNY Lehman College students ($10,319 vs. $10,151).

Salem State University vs. Lehman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 80 points higher than at Lehman (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; CUNY Lehman College 850/1150.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; Lehman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehman students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Lehman (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 12.2% at Lehman.

Salem State University vs. Lehman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than CUNY Lehman College's (40%).
• Graduates from CUNY Lehman College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Lehman College graduates have a $13,800 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($10,200 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Lehman graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($105 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lehman students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 49%)

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.