Salem State University vs. St. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than St. Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 2,037 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); St. Thomas Aquinas College is in Sparkill, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; St. Thomas Aquinas College 16:1.

Salem State University vs. St. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or St. Thomas Aquinas College? 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 Salem State University than St. Thomas Aquinas College ($17,541 vs. $21,187).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 6.9% lower than at St. Thomas Aquinas College ($16,838 vs. $18,080).
• St. Thomas Aquinas College is 219.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $27,112 more per year; $39,450.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102% higher at St. Thomas Aquinas College than at Salem State University (about $19,919 more per year; $39,450.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Thomas Aquinas College than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas Aquinas College students is 202.7% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($31,233 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. St. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or St. Thomas Aquinas College? 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 St. Thomas Aquinas College and Salem State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 100 points higher than at St. Thomas Aquinas College (980).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; St. Thomas Aquinas College 880/1085.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; St. Thomas Aquinas College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; St. Thomas Aquinas College May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salem State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at St. Thomas Aquinas College (3.0).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than St. Thomas Aquinas College (93%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 11.8% at St. Thomas Aquinas College.

Salem State University vs. St. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and St. Thomas Aquinas College? 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).

• St. Thomas Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from St. Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, St. Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($232 vs. $248).
• More St. Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)

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.