Salem State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University

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

Salem State University Saginaw Valley State University
Location Salem, MA University Center, MI
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,239 6,889
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #783 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu svsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Saginaw Valley State University
Tuition (In State) $910 $12,240
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $28,752
Room & Board $16,378 $11,700
Avg Net Price $19,324 $15,144
Avg Grant Aid $8,241 $9,611
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

Salem State University Saginaw Valley State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,852 10,222
Admitted 4,637 7,450
Acceptance Rate 95.6% 72.9%
Enrolled % 17.5% 17.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.48
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25
SAT Range 990/1160 940/1160
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 Saginaw Valley State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Saginaw Valley State University
Graduation Rate 42% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $41,000
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Salem State University Saginaw Valley State University
% Men 5% 2%
% Women 17% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 71%
% Black 9% 9%
% Hispanic 12% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 8%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

Salem State University Saginaw Valley State University
% In-State 90% 98%
% Out-of-State 8% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Saginaw Valley State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (6,889 students vs. 6,239 students)

Salem State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Saginaw Valley State University?

  • Saginaw Valley State University is 1,245.1% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($12,240.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 307.8% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than Salem State University ($28,752.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saginaw Valley State University than Salem State University ($15,144 vs. $19,324)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 40% lower than costs at Salem State University ($11,700 vs. $16,378)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University as Saginaw Valley State University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 16.6% larger than aid received Salem State University ($9,611 vs. $8,241)

Salem State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.9%)

Salem State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Salem State University is higher than Saginaw Valley State University (42% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Salem State University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates after ten years. ($44,400 vs. $41,000)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Saginaw Valley State University graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 48%)

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