Salem State University vs. SFASU

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

Salem State University SFASU
Location Salem, MA Nacogdoches, TX
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,239 10,888
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #783 #823
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu sfasu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University SFASU
Tuition (In State) $910 $7,842
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $17,922
Room & Board $16,378 $11,142
Avg Net Price $19,324 $15,498
Avg Grant Aid $8,241 $8,695
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 80%

Admission

Salem State University SFASU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,852 12,591
Admitted 4,637 11,112
Acceptance Rate 95.6% 88.3%
Enrolled % 17.5% 18.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.26
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 990/1160 980/1160
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 SFASU
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%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Salem State University SFASU
Graduation Rate 42% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $258

Diversity

Salem State University SFASU
% Men 5% 4%
% Women 17% 8%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 57%
% Black 9% 20%
% Hispanic 12% 16%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Salem State University SFASU
% In-State 90% 98%
% Out-of-State 8% 1%

Campus

Salem State University SFASU
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

  • Stephen F Austin State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (10,888 students vs. 6,239 students)

Salem State University vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

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

  • Stephen F Austin State University is 761.8% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($7,842.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 154.2% higher at SFASU than Salem State University ($17,922.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stephen F Austin State University than Salem State University ($15,498 vs. $19,324)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 47% lower than costs at Salem State University ($11,142 vs. $16,378)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Stephen F Austin State University (98% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 5.5% larger than aid received Salem State University ($8,695 vs. $8,241)

Salem State University vs. SFASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman SFASU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.6%) than SFASU (88.3%)

Salem State University vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SFASU is higher than Salem State University (44% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn on average $200 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $44,400)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than SFASU graduates. ($24,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than SFASU graduates. ($248 vs. $258)
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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