Salem State University
Salem State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Salem State University at a Glance
Salem State University is a public university in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1854, it is the oldest and largest institute of higher education on the North Shore and is part of the state university system in Massachusetts.
1854
172 years old
$66M
$66,300,000(2024)
6,239
4,853 undergrad · 1,396 grad
302
115 acres
Identity
Is Salem State University Worth It?
Salem State University offers moderate value at $15,996/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,662, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Salem State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #41 of 138 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #41 | Salem State University | 46 | $15,996 | $56,662 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Salem State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in MA.
Best Programs at Salem State University
The highest-earning program at Salem State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Visual and Performing Arts, General at $20,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Salem State University earns $65,800, while a Visual and Performing Arts, General graduate earns $20,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,996/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,800 | $65,800 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,100 | $40,100 | $23,181 |
| Biology, General | $38,900 | $38,900 | $26,000 |
| Social Work | $36,400 | $36,400 | $25,458 |
| Sociology | $35,600 | $35,600 | $26,904 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,300 | $35,300 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $33,800 | $33,800 | $24,733 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,400 | $32,400 | $25,000 |
| History | $31,800 | $31,800 | $25,000 |
| Education, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $23,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,100 | $30,100 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $28,800 | $28,800 | $23,350 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,500 | $24,500 | $26,077 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $20,600 | $20,600 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Salem, MA
- Student Body
- 4,291 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,996
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,662
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000