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CollegeGrad School

Salem State University

#47 in Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts
  • 4 Year
  • Salem, MA
  • 1,109 reviews
    How to Apply
    C+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      C+
    2. Value
      B
    3. Diversity
      A-
    4. Campus
      C-
    5. Athletics
      C
    6. Party Scene
      B-
    7. Professors
      C
    8. Location
      B+
    9. Dorms
      C
    10. Campus Food
      C-
    11. Student Life
      C
    12. Safety
      B-
    View Full Report Card
    Salem State is a public university located in Salem, Massachusetts in the Boston Area. It is a mid-size institution with an enrollment of 5,792 undergraduate students. The Salem State acceptance rate is 82%. Popular majors include Nursing, Psychology, and Business. Graduating 52% of students, Salem State alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $36,200.
    About Salem State University...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division III (without football)
    Athletic Conference
    Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
    Address
    352 Lafayette St
    Salem, MA 01970
    Website
    salemstate.edu

    Salem State University Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    82%
    Application Deadline
    Rolling Admissions
    SAT Range
    980-1150
    ACT Range
    19-25
    Application Fee
    $40
    SAT/ACT
    Considered but not required
    High School GPA
    Required
    Early Decision/Early Action
    Yes

    Test Prep

    SAT and ACT Prep Options
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    Cost

    Net Price
    $16,970/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $6,771/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    90%

    Academics

    Professors
    C
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    14:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    64%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.61 responses
    46%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.69 responses
    46%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.69 responses

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Nursing
      168 Graduates
    • Psychology
      160 Graduates
    • Business
      97 Graduates
    • Social Work and Youth Services
      85 Graduates
    • Accounting
      83 Graduates
    • Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
      79 Graduates
    • Early Childhood Education
      71 Graduates
    • Biomedical Sciences and Molecular Medicine
      59 Graduates
    • Elementary Education
      58 Graduates
    • Marketing
      55 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    5,792Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    1,318
    Undergrads Over 25
    12%
    Pell Grant
    44%
    Varsity Athletes
    5%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 50 responses
    Report
    • Diverse
      68%
    • Different
      14%
    • Lower to middle income students
      10%
    • Interseting
      6%
    • Diverse
      2%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    —
    Poll
    48%
    of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene.82 responses
    Poll
    62%
    of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.112 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 48 responses
    Report
    • Welcoming
      40%
    • Construction
      27%
    • Vikings
      17%
    • Open-minded
      13%
    • Tedious
      2%
    • Underrated
      2%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $43,500/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    52%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    94%
    National
    83%
    87%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.45 responses
    Colleges like Salem State University
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    Salem State University Reviews

    1,109 reviews
    All Categories
    They’ve got a nifty little system with this thing called a Clippercard that serves as an ID that you can use to buy food at the campus dining halls and/or at the local restaurants in the surrounding area! The faculty is also very adamant about providing help and support to its students in every area applicable. I wish they would get better beds, they’re like concrete, so remember to bring a good mattress pad!
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    Salem State is very diverse and inclusive with everything they do, including having gender neutral bathrooms. The library is full of twists and turns, and you're always likely to find a nice quiet spot to study. There are also rooms where you can talk and study with your friends! I love the fact that my school brings so many different kinds of people in; this is where I met all of my current best friends! There are two things that stick out the most to me when it comes to what should change within the school; the bathrooms (at least speaking from the girl's point of view) do not have any ventilation, so we're breathing in the grime from the wet shower walls. So maintenance could do something about that! Second, the food. There is rarely ANY vegetables out and a lot of the food is extremely salty or coated in something most likely unhealthy; there are also not a lot of vegetarian options.
    I'm currently going into my junior year at Salem State University and I cannot express how much I love being a student here. I discovered my passion for History and stepped out of my academic comfort zone due to all the tremendous amount of support I receive from my professors and the faculty. I am also a First-Year Mentor and helping the incoming freshmen every year brings me so much pride and I feel a great amount of gratitude at the opportunities having this job gives me. Furthermore, SSU made my dream come true as I am studying abroad this Fall in Ireland - this would not have been possible without their guidance and overall enthusiasm. I love Salem State and I am a proud Viking!