Get Matched With Online Colleges

Salem State University (SSU) is located in Salem, Massachusetts and is a public university. Established in 1854, SSU has over 7,500 undergraduate students from 27 different states and 57 foreign countries, giving you a remarkably diverse campus population. The most popular majors are nursing and psychology, and SSU also offers 13 different graduate programs if you decide to continue your education to the master’s or doctorate level.


Overview of Salem State University (SSU)


The campus itself consists of 115 acres, located 15 miles northeast of Boston, so you’ll live in a suburban area close to major city attractions in one of the most historical areas of the country. Public transportation is readily available should you decide to explore this metropolitan area.

With over 70 student organizations to join and a full range of athletics, there’s something for everyone at SSU and something scheduled nearly every night of the week. Roughly one third of students live in college housing, with the other two-thirds living off campus.

Salem State University's ranking in the 2020 edition of Best Regional Universities in the North is 119, which means your future employers will appreciate your degree more than they would if it were from a lower ranked college. Because of the proximity to Boston, most students can easily find internships and positions that add value to their college record.

General Information


School Type Public
Campus Setting Suburb: Large
Campus Housing Yes
Student Faculty Ratio 14:1
Graduation Rate 57%
Year Founded 1854

Student Enrollment


Total Students8,338

Undergraduate
6,811
Graduate
1,527

Undergraduate Student

Male 5,585
5,585
Female 4,223
4,223

Graduate Student

Male 580
580
Female 947
947

Explore Map

SSU Acceptance Rate and Admissions


APPLICATION5,825

Male 1,793
Female 4,032

ACCEPTANCE5,010

Male 1,452
Female 3,548

Acceptance Rate86%

Male 81%
Female 88%

Enrollment 1,002

Male   363
Female 639
Admissions
Application Fee $50
High School GPA Required
High School Rank NA
High School Transcripts Required
College Prep Courses Required
Recommendations NA
Formal demonstration of competencies Recommended
SAT/ACT Considered but not Required
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Required
Application Deadline December 1
Common Application Accepted No

SSU Tuition Cost & Financial Aid


When you’re choosing a school, don’t eliminate a favorite due to sticker shock. Although the price of attending may seem out of reach, the average net cost (original price minus financial aid) may be well within your budget. You first step in the college application process should be completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a standard requirement of all financial aid offices. Your FAFSA will also be used to relay your finances to any grant or scholarship applications you may complete and is also a requirement for federal student loans. If finances are tight, you should dedicate several hours a week to finding grants and scholarships and applying for as many as you may qualify for.

Average net price 2018-2019
Net Price $17,720
Average Total Aid $7,765
Students Receiving Financial Aid 92%
Room & Board $14,052

Sticker Price


  • Tuition In-State - $11,128
  • Tuition Out-of-State - $17,994
  • Books and Supplies - $1,200
  • Room & Board - $14,052
  • Other - $1,784

Academics


College academics involves more than the list of available degrees and courses. Here are some terms to look for that may indicate a school’s dedication to students once enrollment is completed, and what they can mean to your goal of successfully completing your higher education degree.

  • Retention Rate: This is the number of freshmen students who return to the same college for their second year.
  • Graduation Rate: The graduation rate can be an indicator of how much a school is vested in the success of their students once they’re enrolled.
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: This indicates the average size of your classes and how personalized your school experience may be; larger classes tend to be taught in an auditorium-type setting.
  • Student Population Total: The total population can give you an idea of the social setting within a college campus and may help you decide whether you want a more personalized experience.
  • Distance Learning: As evidenced by the pandemic, distance learning should be an option to look for, even if you plan to attend in person.
  • Accreditation: Always check the accreditation of the schools you consider as it indicates that the school or program has been evaluated on a national level.

Student Population Total


Student Population 8,338

Undergraduate
6,811
Graduate
1527
Evening Classes : No
Distance Learning : Yes

Most Popular Programs & Majors

(# of Diplomas Awarded by Subject)


All Business Majors 359 Total Graduates / 23%
Business Administration and Management, General 79 Graduates
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 67 Graduates
Accounting 59 Graduates
Finance, General 48 Graduates
Health Professions and Related Programs 228 Total Graduates / 14%
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 160 Graduates
Health/Health Care Administration/Management 30 Graduates
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other 17 Graduates
Occupational Therapy/Therapist 8 Graduates
All Psychology Majors 143 Total Graduates / 9%
Psychology, General 137 Graduates
Applied Behavior Analysis 6 Graduates
All Education Majors 133 Total Graduates / 8%
Early Childhood Education and Teaching 70 Graduates
Elementary Education and Teaching 37 Graduates
Education, General 11 Graduates
History Teacher Education 7 Graduates
All Biological & Biomedical Majors 119 Total Graduates / 7%
Biomedical Sciences, General 73 Graduates
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography 17 Graduates
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 11 Graduates
Biochemistry 8 Graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services 119 Total Graduates / 7%
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration 63 Graduates
Forensic Science and Technology 41 Graduates
Fire Services Administration 15 Graduates
All Other Diplomas 31%

Outcome & Salary


Upon graduating from Salem State, graduates can expect an early-career salary of $47,200 and a mid-career salary of $86,300. Compared to the national average salary of those with no college education, who earn an average of $37,960 annually, you can easily understand the financial benefits of a college degree.

In the long run, your return on investment (ROI) or earning potential minus cost of education, is $642,560 in 10 years and a potential of $1,505,560 in 20 years. Although those with no degree also have no education costs, their potential earnings only average $379,600 within 10 years and double that in 20 years. Note that these figures do not include those who continue their education to the graduate degree levels, which hold much higher potential salaries.

Graduates Salary
College Grads Early Career Salary $47,200
College Grads Average Salary $64,256
College Grads Mid Career Salary $86,300
Return on Investment (ROI)
10 Year Salary Earnings Potential $642,560
20 Year Salary Earnings Potential $1,505,560
Cost of Education (Net Price) 4 Year $70,880
10 Year Projected ROI $571,680
20 Year Projected ROI $1,434,680
No College Education Salary Comparison
National Average Salary $37,960
10 Year Projected Income $379,600
20 Year Projected Income $759,200

Photos & Videos


Search All Programs