Fitchburg State vs. Salem State University

Fitchburg State University and Salem State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Fitchburg State University
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Fitchburg State (86.9% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1150 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: Fitchburg State. Average net price is $15,340 vs $17,541 at Salem State University.
  • Graduation: Fitchburg State 47% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Fitchburg State $44,000 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

Fitchburg State University Salem State University
Acceptance rate
Fitchburg State more selective
Fitchburg State86.9%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Fitchburg State higher
Fitchburg State1060-1230
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
Fitchburg State $2,201 less
Fitchburg State$15,340
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
Fitchburg State $992 less
Fitchburg State$11,346
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Fitchburg State $2,105 less
Fitchburg State$17,426
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
Fitchburg State +5 pts
Fitchburg State47%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salem State University +$400
Fitchburg State$44,000
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Fitchburg State 4,582
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • Fitchburg State 3,983
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • Fitchburg State 86.9%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Fitchburg State 13.5%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Fitchburg State 1150
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Fitchburg State
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Fitchburg State 3.29
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • Fitchburg State B+
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Fitchburg State Moderate
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Fitchburg State
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • Fitchburg State 1060-1230
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • Fitchburg State
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • Fitchburg State Test optional
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Fitchburg State
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Fitchburg State $11,346
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Fitchburg State $17,426
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • Fitchburg State $15,452
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • Fitchburg State $15,340
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • Fitchburg State $11,539
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Fitchburg State 92%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Fitchburg State 47%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Fitchburg State $44,000
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Fitchburg State 65%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Fitchburg State $22,685
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Fitchburg State $234
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Fitchburg State 11:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Fitchburg State
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • Fitchburg State Fitchburg, MA
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • Fitchburg State Midsize Suburban
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Fitchburg State 5,892
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • Fitchburg State Public 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Fitchburg State #573
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Salem State University in Salem, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 5,892 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 8.2% lower than at Salem State University ($15,452 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Salem State University than at Fitchburg State University (about $2,105 more per year; $19,531 vs. $17,426).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Fitchburg State University (98% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fitchburg State University students is 11.8% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($11,539 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Fitchburg State, test-free at Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Fitchburg State average a 3.29 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $1,315 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($22,685 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($234 vs. $248).
  • More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (65% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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