Salem, MA · Public

Salem State University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Salem State University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$28,291
Net Price$15,996
Median Earnings$56,662
Graduation Rate49.8%
Median Debt$19,500
Admission Rate95.9%
Student Count4,291
SAT AverageN/A

Salem State University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $15,996
Money available $0
Still needed per year $15,996
Monthly gap $1,333

Four-year projection: about $63,984 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $19,500.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$56,662Total cost$28,291Net price$15,996Median debt$19,500

Value Score Comparison

Salem State University55.7Dataset avg54.3MA avg56.6
Median earnings1% better than dataset average
$56,662
Total annual cost35% better than dataset average
$28,291
Average net price25% better than dataset average
$15,996
Graduation rate7 percentage points weaker than dataset average
49.8%
Median debt20% weaker than dataset average
$19,500

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

MA Average

Value Score: 56.6

Net Price: $27,939

Earnings: $68,570

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $15,996, compared with reported total cost of $28,291.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $56,662 and the graduation rate is 49.8%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $19,500, while the loan share is 49.1%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 95.9% and Pell Grant share is 35.4%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationSalem, MA
Admission Rate95.9%
In-State Tuition$12,338
Out-of-State Tuition$19,531
Total Cost$28,291
Net Price$15,996
Median Earnings$56,662
Graduation Rate49.8%
Median Debt$19,500
Pell Grant Share35.4%
Loan Share49.1%
Average Faculty Salary$10,694
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 22.7 + graduation 12.4 + net price 9.7 + total cost 6.5 + debt 4.4 = 55.7/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings22.7$56,662 · max 40 pts
Graduation12.449.8% · max 25 pts
Net Price9.7$15,996 · max 15 pts
Total Cost6.5$28,291 · max 10 pts
Debt4.4$19,500 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.