Salem State University vs. Saint Peters; SPC

Deciding between Salem State University and Saint Peter's University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Salem State University
Saint Peter's University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Saint Peters; SPC Jersey City, NJ
  • Setting
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Saint Peters; SPC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Saint Peters; SPC 3,572
  • Type
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • Saint Peters; SPC Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Salem State University #779
  • Saint Peters; SPC #624
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Salem State University -
  • Saint Peters; SPC Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Salem State University Non-profit
  • Saint Peters; SPC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Salem State University
  • Saint Peters; SPC
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Saint Peters; SPC $42,552
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Saint Peters; SPC $42,552
  • Room & Board
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Saint Peters; SPC $17,794
  • Average Net Price
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Saint Peters; SPC $13,775
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • Saint Peters; SPC $36,685
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Saint Peters; SPC 5,217
  • Admitted
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Saint Peters; SPC 4,711
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 90.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 11.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Saint Peters; SPC 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salem State University
  • Saint Peters; SPC 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Saint Peters; SPC 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Salem State University B+
  • Saint Peters; SPC B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Saint Peters; SPC Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Salem State University
  • Saint Peters; SPC
  • ACT Range
  • Salem State University
  • Saint Peters; SPC 17/28
  • SAT Range
  • Salem State University 990/1160
  • Saint Peters; SPC 970/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Saint Peters; SPC Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Saint Peters; SPC
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Saint Peters; SPC 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Saint Peters; SPC
    • Business (27%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 51%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Saint Peters; SPC $48,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 50%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Saint Peters; SPC $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Salem State University $248
  • Saint Peters; SPC $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Salem State University 33%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 44%
  • % Women
  • Salem State University 67%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Salem State University Medium
  • Saint Peters; SPC Very High
  • HBCU
  • Salem State University No
  • Saint Peters; SPC No
  • % White
  • Salem State University 68%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 18%
  • % Asian
  • Salem State University 3%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 7%
  • % Black
  • Salem State University 9%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 25%
  • % Hispanic
  • Salem State University 12%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 37%
  • % Native American
  • Salem State University 0%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Salem State University 0%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Salem State University 3%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 2%
  • % International
  • Salem State University 3%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Salem State University 2%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 8%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Salem State University 86%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 90%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Salem State University 11%
  • Saint Peters; SPC 7%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Salem State University Yes
  • Saint Peters; SPC Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Salem State University No
  • Saint Peters; SPC No
  • Meal Plan
  • Salem State University Yes
  • Saint Peters; SPC Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Salem State University No
  • Saint Peters; SPC Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Salem State University Yes
  • Saint Peters; SPC No

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than Saint Peters; SPC based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 3,572 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Saint Peter's University is in Jersey City, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Peter's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Saint Peter's University 12:1.

Salem State University vs. Saint Peters; SPC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Saint Peters; SPC? 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 Saint Peter's University than Salem State University ($13,775 vs. $17,541).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 5.4% lower than at Saint Peter's University ($16,838 vs. $17,794).
  • Saint Peter's University is 244.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $30,214 more per year; $42,552.00 vs. $12,338.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 117.9% higher at Saint Peters; SPC than at Salem State University (about $23,021 more per year; $42,552.00 vs. $19,531.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Peter's University than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Peter's University students is 255.5% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($36,685 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. Saint Peters; SPC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or Saint Peters; SPC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Saint Peters; SPC and Salem State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 20 points higher than at Saint Peters; SPC (1060).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; Saint Peter's University 970/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSaint Peter's University 17/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; Saint Peters; SPC - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Saint Peters; SPC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Saint Peters; SPC (90.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 11.4% at Saint Peters; SPC.

Salem State University vs. Saint Peters; SPC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and Saint Peters; SPC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Saint Peter's University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
  • Graduates from Saint Peter's University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Saint Peters; SPC graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Peters; SPC graduates ($248 vs. $258).
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Peters; SPC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 50%)

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.