Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem State University is a public institution in Salem, Massachusetts with 4,286 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $11,978 compared with a Massachusetts nursing-school average of $28,305. The school reports a graduation rate of 55.0%, median earnings of $56,662, and median federal debt of $25,000.
$11,978 is lower than the state average of $28,305.
55.0% is lower than the state average of 55.5%.
$56,662 is higher than the state average of $53,874.
About Salem State University
| Location | Salem, Massachusetts |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.salemstate.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $11,978 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $18,961 |
| Total Enrollment | 4,286 |
| Acceptance Rate | 95.6% |
| Graduation Rate | 55.0% |
| Retention Rate | 73.7% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $56,662 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $265 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 35.3% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 56.8% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.5 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
35.3% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 56.8% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is common in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Salem State University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $47,912, while the reported median debt is $25,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $265. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (56.0%), followed by Hispanic students (23.2%) and Black students (8.5%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($56,662) divided by median debt ($25,000)