Salem State University vs. Maria College of Albany

Comparable Facts

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

Salem State University is larger than Maria College of Albany based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 722 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Maria College of Albany is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Maria College of Albany is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Maria College of Albany 6:1.

Salem State University vs. Maria College of Albany Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Maria College of Albany? 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 Maria College of Albany than Salem State University ($16,254 vs. $17,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maria College of Albany are 43.6% lower than at Salem State University ($9,500 vs. $16,838).
• Maria College of Albany is 51.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $6,402 more per year; $18,740.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Salem State University than at Maria College of Albany (about $791 more per year; $19,531.00 vs. $18,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Maria College of Albany (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maria College of Albany students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($10,405 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. Maria College of Albany Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or Maria College of Albany? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Maria College of Albany and Salem State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 50 points higher than at Maria College of Albany (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Salem State University 990/1160; Maria College of Albany 965/1095.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; Maria College of Albany - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Salem State University students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Maria College of Albany (2.5).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Maria College of Albany (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 28.3% at Maria College of Albany.

Salem State University vs. Maria College of Albany Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and Maria College of Albany? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Salem State University's six-year graduation rate is 42%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Maria College of Albany.
• Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Maria College of Albany graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have a $3,882 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($20,118 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($208 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maria College of Albany students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 45%)

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.