Salem State University vs. UWT

Deciding between Salem State University and University of Washington Tacoma Campus? 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
University of Washington Tacoma Campus

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • UWT Tacoma, WA
  • Setting
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • UWT Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • UWT 4,965
  • Type
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • UWT Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Salem State University #779
  • UWT
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Salem State University -
  • UWT -
  • Status
  • Salem State University Non-profit
  • UWT Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Salem State University
  • UWT
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • UWT $13,168
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • UWT $43,404
  • Room & Board
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • UWT $16,371
  • Average Net Price
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • UWT $13,898
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • UWT $12,161
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Salem State University 98%
  • UWT 86%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • UWT 4,068
  • Admitted
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • UWT 3,357
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • UWT 82.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • UWT 21.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salem State University 1080
  • UWT 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salem State University
  • UWT 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • UWT 3.41
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Salem State University B+
  • UWT B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • UWT Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Salem State University
  • UWT
  • ACT Range
  • Salem State University
  • UWT 16/24
  • SAT Range
  • Salem State University 990/1160
  • UWT 960/1180
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • UWT Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • UWT Jun 30, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • UWT 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • UWT
    • General Studies (48%)
    • Business (22%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Salem State University 42%
  • UWT -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • UWT $65,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Salem State University 63%
  • UWT 76%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • UWT $15,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Salem State University $248
  • UWT $155
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Salem State University 33%
  • UWT 52%
  • % Women
  • Salem State University 67%
  • UWT 48%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Salem State University Medium
  • UWT Very High
  • HBCU
  • Salem State University No
  • UWT No
  • % White
  • Salem State University 68%
  • UWT 43%
  • % Asian
  • Salem State University 3%
  • UWT 18%
  • % Black
  • Salem State University 9%
  • UWT 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • Salem State University 12%
  • UWT 12%
  • % Native American
  • Salem State University 0%
  • UWT 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Salem State University 0%
  • UWT 2%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Salem State University 3%
  • UWT 8%
  • % International
  • Salem State University 3%
  • UWT 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Salem State University 2%
  • UWT 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Salem State University 86%
  • UWT 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Salem State University 11%
  • UWT 3%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Salem State University Yes
  • UWT Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Salem State University No
  • UWT No
  • Meal Plan
  • Salem State University Yes
  • UWT No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Salem State University No
  • UWT Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Salem State University Yes
  • UWT No

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with University of Washington Tacoma Campus in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salem State University is larger than UWT based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of Washington Tacoma Campus is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
  • Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1.

Salem State University vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or UWT? 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 University of Washington Tacoma Campus than Salem State University ($13,898 vs. $17,541).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus are 2.8% lower than at Salem State University ($16,371 vs. $16,838).
  • University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $830 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $12,338.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 122.2% higher at UWT than at Salem State University (about $23,873 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $19,531.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (98% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($12,161 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. UWT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or UWT? 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 UWT and Salem State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 10 points higher than at UWT (1070).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; UWT - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; UWT Jun 30, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman UWT students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than UWT (82.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 21.5% at UWT.

Salem State University vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and UWT? 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).

  • Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($155 vs. $248).
  • More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.