Salem State University vs. WPI

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (7,584 students vs. 6,230 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Worcester Polytechnic Institute is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Salem State University vs. WPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or WPI? 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 Salem State University than WPI ($17,541 vs. $47,372).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 8.4% lower than at Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($16,838 vs. $18,386).
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute is 394.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $48,627 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 212.1% higher at WPI than at Salem State University (about $41,434 more per year; $60,965.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Worcester Polytechnic Institute than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Worcester Polytechnic Institute students is 205.7% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($31,545 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. WPI Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; WPI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; WPI Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WPI students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than WPI (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 18.1% at WPI.

Salem State University vs. WPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Salem State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $38,300 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,700 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than WPI graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WPI graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More WPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.