Salem State University vs. Westfield State University

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

Salem State University Westfield State University
Location Salem, MA Westfield, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,539 4,702
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #575
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu ma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Westfield State University
Tuition (In State) $910 $970
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $7,050
Room & Board $14,954 $12,894
Avg Net Price $19,277 $18,021
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $6,904
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 93%

Admission

Salem State University Westfield State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 6,625
Admitted 4,719 5,400
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 81.5%
Enrolled % 18.3% 14.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/22
SAT Range 986/1210 980/1190
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 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Salem State University Westfield State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Westfield State University
Graduation Rate 42% 58%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $46,800
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $22,750
Median Loan Payment $248 $235

Diversity

Salem State University Westfield State University
% Men 31% 42%
% Women 69% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 77%
% Black 9% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Salem State University Westfield State University
% In-State 90% 89%
% Out-of-State 8% 11%

Campus

Salem State University Westfield State 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

  • Salem State University is larger than than Westfield State University based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 4,702 students)

Salem State University vs. Westfield State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Westfield State University is 6.6% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($970.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at Salem State University as Westfield State University ($7,050.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Westfield State University than Salem State University ($18,021 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westfield State University are 16% lower than costs at Salem State University ($12,894 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Westfield State University (99% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 24% larger than aid received Westfield State University ($8,562 vs. $6,904)

Salem State University vs. Westfield State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Westfield State University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Westfield State University (81.5%)

Salem State University vs. Westfield State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Westfield State University is higher than Salem State University (58% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Westfield State University earn on average $2,400 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($46,800 vs. $44,400)
  • Westfield State University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($22,750 vs. $24,000)
  • Westfield State University graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($235 vs. $248)
  • More Westfield State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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