Salem State University vs. Suffolk University

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

Salem State University Suffolk University
Location Salem, MA Boston, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 6,539 6,734
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #450
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu suffolk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Suffolk University
Tuition (In State) $910 $42,790
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $42,790
Room & Board $14,954 $18,482
Avg Net Price $19,277 $32,270
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $27,856
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Salem State University Suffolk University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 9,699
Admitted 4,719 8,418
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 86.8%
Enrolled % 18.3% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/30
SAT Range 986/1210 1080/1300
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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Salem State University Suffolk University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Suffolk University
Graduation Rate 42% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $59,100
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $279

Diversity

Salem State University Suffolk University
% Men 31% 37%
% Women 69% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 40%
% Black 9% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 3% 23%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

Salem State University Suffolk University
% In-State 90% 56%
% Out-of-State 8% 36%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Suffolk University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (6,734 students vs. 6,539 students)

Salem State University vs. Suffolk University Cost Comparison

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

  • Suffolk University is 4,602.2% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($42,790.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 507% higher at Suffolk University than Salem State University ($42,790.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salem State University than Suffolk University ($19,277 vs. $32,270)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 23.6% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($14,954 vs. $18,482)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Suffolk University (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 225.3% larger than aid received Salem State University ($27,856 vs. $8,562)

Salem State University vs. Suffolk University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Suffolk University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Suffolk University (86.8%)

Salem State University vs. Suffolk University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Salem State University or Suffolk 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 Suffolk University and Salem State University.

  • The graduation rate at Suffolk University is higher than Salem State University (54% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn on average $14,700 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($59,100 vs. $44,400)
  • Salem State University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Suffolk University graduates. ($24,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Salem State University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Suffolk University graduates. ($248 vs. $279)
  • More Suffolk University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

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