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Bridgewater State Fitchburg State Framingham State University Westfield State University University of Massachusetts-Boston Suffolk University KSC UMass Dartmouth University of Massachusetts-Lowell Worcester State University Endicott College University of Southern Maine| Salem State University | Northern State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
| Location | Salem, MA | Aberdeen, SD | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 6,239 | 3,521 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #783 | #871 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | salemstate.edu | northern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $910 | $7,616 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $7,050 | $10,718 | ||
| Room & Board | $16,378 | $10,300 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,324 | $16,873 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,241 | $5,565 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 93% |
Admission |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,852 | 1,082 | ||
| Admitted | 4,637 | 1,004 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.6% | 92.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 17.5% | 31.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.17 | 3.37 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | |||
| SAT Range | 990/1160 | 800/1150 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Jun 1, 2026 |
Academics |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 42% | 42% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,400 | $37,400 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 63% | 63% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $24,000 | $24,399 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $248 | $252 |
Diversity |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 5% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 17% | 13% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 68% | 83% | ||
| % Black | 9% | 2% | ||
| % Hispanic | 12% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 3% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 2% | ||
| % International | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 0% |
Students |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 90% | 72% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 28% | ||
Campus |
Salem State University | NSU | ||
| 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
- Salem State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (6,239 students vs. 3,521 students)
Salem State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or NSU?
- Northern State University is 736.9% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $910.00)
- Out of state tuition is 52% higher at NSU than Salem State University ($10,718.00 vs. $7,050.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern State University than Salem State University ($16,873 vs. $19,324)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 59% lower than costs at Salem State University ($10,300 vs. $16,378)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Northern State University (98% vs. 93%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 48.1% larger than aid received Northern State University ($8,241 vs. $5,565)
Salem State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or NSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NSU or Salem State University .
- Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
- Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than NSU (92.8%)
Salem State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Salem State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Salem State University.
- The graduation rate at Salem State University is the same as at Northern State University (42% vs. 42%)
- Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $7,000 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $37,400)
- Salem State University students graduate with a $399 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($24,000 vs. $24,399)
- Salem State University graduates are paying $4 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($248 vs. $252)
- More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 63%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/