IU Northwest vs. Salem State University

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

Indiana University Northwest
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IU Northwest (73.4% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: IU Northwest. Average net price is $5,745 vs $17,541 at Salem State University.
  • Graduation: IU Northwest 23% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IU Northwest $39,500 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

Indiana University Northwest Salem State University
Acceptance rate
IU Northwest more selective
IU Northwest73.4%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IU Northwest higher
IU Northwest910-1180
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
IU Northwest $11,796 less
IU Northwest$5,745
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
IU Northwest $3,914 less
IU Northwest$8,424
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $3,280 less
IU Northwest$22,811
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
Salem State University +19 pts
IU Northwest23%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salem State University +$4,900
IU Northwest$39,500
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • IU Northwest 2,928
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • IU Northwest 2,149
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • IU Northwest 73.4%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IU Northwest 23.5%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IU Northwest 1050
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • IU Northwest 22
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • IU Northwest 3.14
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • IU Northwest B
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • IU Northwest Easy
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • IU Northwest Low
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • IU Northwest 910-1180
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • IU Northwest 18-26
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • IU Northwest Test optional
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • IU Northwest
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IU Northwest $8,424
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IU Northwest $22,811
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • IU Northwest $10,972
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • IU Northwest $5,745
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • IU Northwest $8,327
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IU Northwest 76%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • IU Northwest 23%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IU Northwest $39,500
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • IU Northwest 33%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IU Northwest $25,030
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IU Northwest $258
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IU Northwest 15:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • IU Northwest
    • Health Professions (33%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • IU Northwest Gary, IN
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • IU Northwest Small City
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • IU Northwest 3,041
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • IU Northwest Public 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IU Northwest #875
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN 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 IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 3,041 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 34.8% lower than at Salem State University ($10,972 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at IU Northwest than at Salem State University (about $3,280 more per year; $22,811 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Indiana University Northwest (98% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 23.9% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($10,319 vs. $8,327).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at IU Northwest, test-free at Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salem State University average a 3.17 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at IU Northwest (3.14).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,030 lower median loan debt than IU Northwest graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,030).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Northwest graduates ($248 vs. $258).
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 33%).

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

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