by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a Salem State degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how Salem State measures up.
Salem State is ranked #1,619 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of F. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #30 of 85 for value.
Among the majors Salem State offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | #6 of 15 |
| Bachelor's Degree | #6 of 15 |
| American Government & Politics (United States) | #8 of 22 |
| Fire Services Administration | #13 of 17 |
| Fire Protection | #17 of 24 |
| Accounting / Finance | #21 of 54 |
| Public/Applied History | #26 of 46 |
| Geographic Information Science | #40 of 60 |
| Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions | #49 of 90 |
| Geography | #55 of 83 |
Read the full Salem State value report below — how it ranks within its state, how it ranks nationwide, what a degree actually costs, and whether it makes financial sense.
Salem State University is ranked #43 out of #96 in Massachusetts for quality and #30 out of #85 for Massachusetts value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the Salem State financial aid page to be sure.
Salem State University is ranked #1,619 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, Salem State University is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Salem State costs about $18,309. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $73,236 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $28,170 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $15,996 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $18,309 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,236 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Salem State net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Salem State costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Salem State degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $112,680 | — | — |
| All Students | $73,236 | #1,619 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $63,984 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $112,680 | — | — |
| All Students | $73,236 | #30 | C- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $63,984 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Salem State shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $13,384 |
| $30K–$48K | $14,747 |
| $48K–$75K | $17,712 |
| $75K–$110K | $21,398 |
| Over $110K | $24,642 |
About 81% of Salem State undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $10,493 per year. Get more details on the Salem State financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the Salem State net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.