Salem State University vs. Worcester State University

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

Salem State University Worcester State University
Location Salem, MA Worcester, MA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 6,539 5,311
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #733 #475
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website salemstate.edu worcester.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Salem State University Worcester State University
Tuition (In State) $910 $970
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $7,050
Room & Board $14,954 $13,245
Avg Net Price $19,277 $14,435
Avg Grant Aid $8,562 $5,881
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Salem State University Worcester State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,093 4,718
Admitted 4,719 4,136
Acceptance Rate 92.7% 87.7%
Enrolled % 18.3% 19.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/29
SAT Range 986/1210 1015/1220
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 Jun 1, 2025

Academics

Salem State University Worcester 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%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (15%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Salem State University Worcester State University
Graduation Rate 42% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,400 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $20,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $206

Diversity

Salem State University Worcester State University
% Men 31% 36%
% Women 69% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 71%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 12% 9%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

Salem State University Worcester State University
% In-State 90% 93%
% Out-of-State 8% 5%

Campus

Salem State University Worcester 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 Worcester State University based on total student enrollment (6,539 students vs. 5,311 students)

Salem State University vs. Worcester State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Worcester 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 Worcester State University ($7,050.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Worcester State University than Salem State University ($14,435 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 12.9% lower than costs at Salem State University ($13,245 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Worcester State University than Salem State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 45.6% larger than aid received Worcester State University ($8,562 vs. $5,881)

Salem State University vs. Worcester State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Worcester 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 Worcester State University (87.7%)

Salem State University vs. Worcester State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Worcester State University is higher than Salem State University (47% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Worcester State University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $44,400)
  • Worcester State University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($20,000 vs. $24,000)
  • Worcester State University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Salem State University graduates. ($206 vs. $248)
  • More Worcester State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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