Salem State University vs. RIC

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

Salem State University RIC
Location Salem, MA Providence, RI
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,539 5,787
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #720
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu ric.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University RIC
Tuition (In State) $910 $9,481
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $25,014
Room & Board $14,954 $13,414
Avg Net Price $19,277 $11,014
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $7,537
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 62%

Admission

Salem State University RIC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 3,921
Admitted 4,719 3,432
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 87.5%
Enrolled % 18.3% 19.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.08
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range 986/1210 870/1110
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, 2025 Mar 15, 2025

Academics

Salem State University RIC
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

Salem State University RIC
Graduation Rate 42% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $42,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $21,200
Median Loan Payment $248 $219

Diversity

Salem State University RIC
% Men 31% 29%
% Women 69% 71%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 62%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 12% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

Salem State University RIC
% In-State 90% 80%
% Out-of-State 8% 20%

Campus

Salem State University RIC
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 RIC based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 5,787 students)

Salem State University vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or RIC?

  • Rhode Island College is 941.9% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($9,481.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 254.8% higher at RIC than Salem State University ($25,014.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rhode Island College than Salem State University ($11,014 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 11.5% lower than costs at Salem State University ($13,414 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Rhode Island College (99% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 13.6% larger than aid received Rhode Island College ($8,562 vs. $7,537)

Salem State University vs. RIC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at RIC (3.08)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than RIC (87.5%)

Salem State University vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or RIC? 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 RIC and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at RIC is higher than Salem State University (44% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $2,400 more per year than RIC graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $42,000)
  • Rhode Island College students graduate with a $2,800 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($21,200 vs. $24,000)
  • RIC graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($219 vs. $248)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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