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Bridgewater State Emmanuel College UMass Fitchburg State Framingham State University Westfield State University University of Massachusetts-Boston Pace University-New York Lesley University Wentworth Institute of Technology University of Massachusetts-Lowell UNH| Salem State University | Suffolk University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Salem State University | Suffolk University | ||
| Location | Salem, MA | Boston, MA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 6,239 | 6,697 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #783 | #445 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | salemstate.edu | suffolk.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Salem State University | Suffolk University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $910 | $44,812 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $7,050 | $44,812 | ||
| Room & Board | $16,378 | $19,562 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,324 | $33,089 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,241 | $29,627 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 98% |
Admission |
Salem State University | Suffolk University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,852 | 10,101 | ||
| Admitted | 4,637 | 8,560 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.6% | 84.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 17.5% | 14.2% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.17 | 3.33 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Difficult | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 24/32 | |||
| SAT Range | 990/1160 | 1090/1280 | ||
| 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 | Feb 15, 2026 |
Academics |
Salem State University | Suffolk University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 15:1 | ||
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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 | 5% | 12% | ||
| % Women | 17% | 21% | ||
| 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% | 54% | ||
| % 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 (6,697 students vs. 6,239 students)
Salem State University vs. Suffolk University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Suffolk University?
- Suffolk University is 4,824.4% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($44,812.00 vs. $910.00)
- Out of state tuition is 535.6% higher at Suffolk University than Salem State University ($44,812.00 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 ($19,324 vs. $33,089)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 19.4% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($16,378 vs. $19,562)
- The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University as Suffolk University (98% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 259.5% larger than aid received Salem State University ($29,627 vs. $8,241)
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 (95.6%) than Suffolk University (84.7%)
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/