About Salem State University

Founded in 1854, Salem State University. is a Public college. Located in Massachusetts, which is a city setting in Massachusetts, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 7,346 full time undergraduate students, and 1,655 full time graduate students.

The Salem State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 349 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Salem State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate73%
Application Deadline
Application Fee40
SAT Range890-1090
ACT Range19-25

Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,17% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 19 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Salem State University.

3%
“We”re apathetic”
17%
“We know about current events and vote”
67%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
14%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
53%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
44%
“I feel extremely safe”
38%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
12%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
41%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
41%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
72%
“They keep regular office hours”
25%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
58%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
36%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
6%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
22%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
39%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
11%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
36%
“There might be people who do”
44%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
3%
“We”re apathetic”
17%
“We know about current events and vote”
67%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
3%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
14%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
53%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
44%
“I feel extremely safe”
38%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
12%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
18%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
41%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
41%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
72%
“They keep regular office hours”
25%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
58%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
36%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
6%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
22%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
39%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
11%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
36%
“There might be people who do”
44%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
8%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    89 Students rated on-campus housing 3.3 stars. 7 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    72 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    99 Students rated campus food 2.7 stars. 7 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    99 Students rated campus facilities 3.7 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    99 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 49 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    99 Students rated school activities 3.4 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    99 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    100 Students rated academics 4 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

Salem State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Salem State University?

44 Students rated Salem State University

Matt - 11/05/2024

Salem State University is the greatest school to attend for your first degree and for furthering education if you wish. I have developed much expertise in my field of studies and acquired a vast network of connections. I truly feel this place is a second home for me to cherish throughout my life and it will be a testament of time.

Michael - 08/26/2024

Great school especially on a budget! The class sizes are small and the school is located in a good area for commuter students with shopping, food, and other ways to kill time between classes. I am not super far from campus so it is a school that is located north of boston. As someone who hates the traffic in Boston it is nice to avoid it.

Owen - 08/13/2021

Salem State is a great well rounded state school. It has a variety of opportunities on and off campus for students to regularly explore themselves and the city of Salem. Overall life on and around campus is pretty safe and there are endless fun activities to partake in on campus and around the city.

John - 08/09/2020

Salem State gave me another chance at college. I find it much better and easier to attend than my previous university due to the smaller sizes of classes, bigger focus on education, and well-being of students. Here, everyone has the chance to succeed with all the available resources and availability of resources. Not many people take advantage of these at other schools, but since it is a small school, there's always time to get in. I've had a much better experience here inside the classroom than any other school and university I have been too.

Salem State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Salem State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Salem State University is 73%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    All I wanted to do as a High School senior was get out of school as fast as I could. I held an image of college in my mind of people paying thousands of dollars to party, meet the love of there life, and then graduate only to struggle to pay off their educational loans later. My perception of what it means to go to college was completley different than reality. Four years after graduating high school I was sick of my dead end job and chose to return to college. My first year at school showed how wrong my perception was. School is more than an exuberant cost, it is the opportunity to find yourselfe. In the year that I have been at Salem State University I have found a career field that excites me, great friends, and how strong of a leader I can be. My advice to high school me would be to sprint towards college not away from it. Take every opportunity that presents itselfe. In the end you will be amazed by how much you are capeable of.

    Read all 86 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The parking. The is not enough parking on campus, and because there are not enough dorms on campus, this has become a 'commuter school'. Finding parking is awful, especially since the largest parking lot is by the O'Keefe Gymnasium, but when it rains in the area, the parking lot tends to flood.

    Read all 23 answers

  4. Describe the students at your school.

    Motivated, relaxed, goal-oriented, and open-minded . Most students complete their degree in 4 to 5 years.

    Read all 16 answers

  5. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Salem State College is a big commuter school. I really only looked into it for the nursing program. It is known for its nursing program and they keep they're students very interested. It wasn't as expensive as other schools that I had looked at. So with the great nursing program reputation and the not so expensive tuition,I decided this would be the best school for me.

    Read all 16 answers

  6. What's unique about your campus?

    The culture of the school is very diverse. Commuting to the school is very easy. At night it is very quiet, so studying at night will not be a problem. The library is open until midnight, Monday through Thursday. The school is located next to convenient stores, easy to get snacks and other materials. Salem State College just became Salem State University, and since the college is a public school, the college bill is cheap.

    Read all 16 answers

  7. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    It has a decent Theater program which is why i am there. Otherwise i would never have gone here. And it is cheap for college

    Read all 15 answers

  8. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    I think this school fits all personality types. Students should really consider their major and check out the programs Salem State offers for that major.

    Read all 13 answers

  9. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Independent, artistic,

    Read all 12 answers

  10. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The parking really is the most frustrating. Since there are not enough spaces for residents and commuters. Also computer labs are enough and half the time computers are broken.

    Read all 12 answers

  11. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Salem State campus is small but the people here have big personalities.

    Read all 10 answers

  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The hours that I go to class, the teachers are good.

    Read all 10 answers

  13. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    how annoying the commute would be.

    Read all 9 answers

  14. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Because Salem State University has a reputation for being easy to get into, the stereotype of SSU students is that they aren't very bright, and aren't going to go anywhere in life. There definitely are some students here who seem "below-average" in terms of intelligence, but over all, students here are politically aware, and know plenty of general knowledge.

    Read all 2 answers

  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    Academics are okay. The teachers are quite friendly and are good teachers. But again, not the very best.

    Read all 1 answers

  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    African students union, the log, spanish club, frisbee team, student government association

    Read all 1 answers

  17. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Salem state is people friendly and very accommodating to all of its students. Righr from the first day of orientation, meeting with the seniors who and juniors who gave us tours of the school and introduced us to all the buildings. They told us where to go to when we need something and all that. However, good as this may be, Salem state does not exactly have the best reputation for being a top top school. I had no idea of this, being an international student. Even though, I like the people and the environment, I want education and if possible I want the best I can possibly get. So, salem state is good..but not good enough for my standards.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

62%

female

38%

male

7,346

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,655

Total Grad Students

5%

Out-Of-State

94%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

36

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

22%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
% Black or African-American
10%
% Hispanic/Latino
14%
% White or Caucasian
65%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

89% of students attending Salem State University receive some sort of financial aid. 41% were awarded federal grants. While 78% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$16,148

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$12,892

Room and Board

30,240

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$12,951
$30 - $48K
$14,355
$48 - $75K
$18,146
$75 - $110K
$20,842
$110K & UP
$21,736

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Find your perfect match from over 3 million scholarships!

START YOUR SEARCH

CAN YOU GET INTO Salem State University?

Complete your profile to see if this school is a fit for you, and what your chances of admitance are.

START YOUR SEARCH

TOP STUDENT RATED COLLEGES IN Massachusetts

View All Colleges in Massachusetts