Salem State University

www.salemstate.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$910

2021 Average Net Price

$18,125

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

1.44%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

90%

6,287 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

7,131

68.4% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

56.7%

614 Graduates

About

Salem State University is a higher education institution located in Essex County, MA. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Salem State University were Registered Nursing (146 degrees awarded), General Psychology (143 degrees), and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (101 degrees).

In 2021, 1,972 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Salem State University. 69.5% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 30.5% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,312 degrees), 4.49 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (292 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Salem State University is $910, which is $−22,274 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Salem State University is $910, which is $−22,274 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $18,125.

In 2021, 68% of undergraduate students attending Salem State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 58% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$910

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Salem State University was $910. The cost of tuition at Salem State University is $−22,274 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Salem State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$18,125

2021 Value

8.01%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Salem State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,125. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Salem State University grew by 8.01%.

This chart compares the average net price of Salem State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$12,589

Room and Board

$1,200

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Salem State University was of $12,589 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 2.28% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,200. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Salem State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

68%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

58%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

68% of undergraduate students at Salem State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a decline of 6.85% with respect to 2020, when 73% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Salem State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

1.44%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Salem State University was 1.44%, which represents 33 out of the 2286 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Salem State University received 6,287 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 4.12% annual growth. Out of those 6,287 applicants, 5,659 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 90% acceptance rate.

There were 7,131 students enrolled at Salem State University in 2021.

Salem State University has an overall enrollment yield of 16.6%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

90%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

5,659

Accepted Out of 6,287

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Salem State University was 90% (5,659 admissions from 6,287 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 86.7%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 4.12%, while admissions declined by −0.51%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Salem State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

Enrollment

Salem State University had a total enrollment of 7,131 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Salem State University is 4,878 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,253. This means that 68.4% of students enrolled at Salem State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Salem State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 60.7% White, 19% Hispanic or Latino, 8.27% Black or African American, 3.46% Asian, 3.06% Two or More Races, 0.126% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0841% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Salem State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (38.7%), followed by White Male (20.8%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (14.2%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (58.2%), followed by White Male (14%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (10.1%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

68.4%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Salem State University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 7,131 students. The full-time enrollment at Salem State University is 4,878 and the part-time enrollment is 2,253. This means that 68.4% of students enrolled at Salem State University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.3% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Salem State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

75%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Salem State University was 75%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Salem State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Salem State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
4,332 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,354 enrolled students
Black or African American
590 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Salem State University is 60.7% White, 19% Hispanic or Latino, 8.27% Black or African American, 3.46% Asian, 3.06% Two or More Races, 0.126% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0841% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 52% White, 16.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 198 students (2.78%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 770 more women than men received degrees from Salem State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Salem State University is white (1,312 degrees awarded). There were 4.49 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (292 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Salem State University is Registered Nursing (146 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (143 degrees) and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (101 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Salem State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Public Administration and Social Service (179 degrees awarded), History (42 degrees), and EDUCATION. (399 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Salem State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (1,755,080 people), Secondary school teachers (493,419 people), Education administrators (308,295 people), Other managers (219,435 people), and Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (215,678 people).

The most specialized majors at Salem State University in 2021 are Public Administration and Social Service (179 degrees awarded), History (42 degrees), EDUCATION. (399 degrees), English (51 degrees), and Protective Services (130 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Salem State University are Surgeons, Physicians, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

The most specialized majors at Salem State University are Public Administration and Social Service (179 degrees awarded), History (42 degrees), EDUCATION. (399 degrees), English (51 degrees), and Protective Services (130 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Salem State University are Elementary & secondary schools (3,038,923 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (430,143 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (414,868 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (222,654 people), and Legal services (193,570 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Salem State University.

Most Common (2021)

Registered Nursing
146 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
143 degree-majors awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
101 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Salem State University was Registered Nursing with 146 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Salem State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

601

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

1,371

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 601 degrees were awarded to men at Salem State University, which is 0.438 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,371).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Salem State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 53 degrees were awarded to men at Salem State University in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration, which is 0.898 times less than the 59 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 153 degrees were awarded to men at Salem State University in Social Work, which is 6.95 times more than the 22 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

40%

100% Completion Time

57%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 40% of students graduating from Salem State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 57% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 59% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Female

Highest Graduation Rate (66.7%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Salem State University is Female and American Indian or Alaska Native (66.7% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 0.489% of graduates (3 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
1,312 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
292 degrees awarded
Black or African American
144 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Salem State University is white (1,312 degrees awarded). There were 4.49 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (292 degrees).

3.09% of degree recipients (61 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
917 degrees awarded
White Male
395 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
213 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Salem State University is white female (917 degrees awarded). There were 2.32 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (395 degrees).

Operations

Salem State University has an endowment valued at nearly $32.7M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 5.28M (16.2%) compared to the 13.1% average return (6.61M on 50.4M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2021, Salem State University had a total salary expenditure of 157M. Salem State University employs 138 Professors, 84 Associate professors and 59 Assistant professors. Most academics at Salem State University are Female Professor (71), Male Professor (67), and Female Associate professor (45).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Salem State University are: Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services, with 105 employees, Business and Financial Operations, with 83 employees, and Service with 83 employees.

Endowment

$32.7M

2021 Endowment

27%

growth from 2020

Salem State University has an endowment valued at about $32.7M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Salem State University grew 27% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $17.8M lower than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Salem State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$79.8M

2021 Salaries

14.4%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Salem State University paid a median of $79.8M in salaries, which represents 51% of their overall expenditure ($157M) and a 14.4% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 35.1M (41.3% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$27.8M

Instructional Salaries

294

Number of Employees

In 2021, Salem State University paid a total of $27.8M to 294 employees working as instructors, which represents 34.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.3%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

138 Employees

Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

105 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Salem State University were Professor with 138 employees, Associate professor with 84 employees, and Assistant professor with 59 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Salem State University were Librarians, Curators, Archivists, and Academic Affairs and Other Education Services with 105 employees, Business and Financial Operations with 83 employees, and Service with 83 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Female Professor
Male Professor
Female Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Salem State University was Female Professor with 71 employees, Male Professor with 67 employees, and Female Associate professor with 45 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Salem State University.