Salem State University vs. Queens College

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

Salem State University Queens College
Location Salem, MA Flushing, NY
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 6,539 17,001
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #409
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu cuny.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Queens College
Tuition (In State) $910 $6,930
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $14,880
Room & Board $14,954 $15,546
Avg Net Price $19,277 $6,434
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $7,927
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Salem State University Queens College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 22,324
Admitted 4,719 15,510
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 69.5%
Enrolled % 18.3% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.0
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/27
SAT Range 986/1210 1040/1190
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Salem State University Queens College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Social Sciences (27%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Education (5%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Queens College
Graduation Rate 42% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $50,800
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $11,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $113

Diversity

Salem State University Queens College
% Men 31% 44%
% Women 69% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 29%
% Black 9% 9%
% Hispanic 12% 29%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Salem State University Queens College
% In-State 90% 81%
% Out-of-State 8% 0%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • CUNY Queens College is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (17,001 students vs. 6,539 students)

Salem State University vs. Queens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Queens College?

  • CUNY Queens College is 661.5% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($6,930.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 111.1% higher at Queens College than Salem State University ($14,880.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at CUNY Queens College than Salem State University ($6,434 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 4% lower than costs at CUNY Queens College ($14,954 vs. $15,546)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at CUNY Queens College than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 8% larger than aid received CUNY Queens College ($8,562 vs. $7,927)

Salem State University vs. Queens College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Queens College (3.0)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Queens College (69.5%)

Salem State University vs. Queens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or Queens College? 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 Queens College and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Queens College is higher than Salem State University (53% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from CUNY Queens College earn on average $6,400 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($50,800 vs. $44,400)
  • CUNY Queens College students graduate with a $13,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($11,000 vs. $24,000)
  • Queens College graduates are paying $135 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($113 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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