Lesley University vs. Salem State University

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

Lesley University
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Salem State University (95.9% admitted vs 96.9%). Typical SAT 1080 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salem State University. Average net price is $17,541 vs $32,587 at Lesley University.
  • Graduation: Lesley University 49% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lesley University $38,600 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

Lesley University Salem State University
Acceptance rate
Salem State University more selective
Lesley University96.9%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salem State University higher
Lesley University-
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
Salem State University $15,046 less
Lesley University$32,587
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
Salem State University $21,918 less
Lesley University$34,256
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $14,725 less
Lesley University$34,256
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
Lesley University +7 pts
Lesley University49%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salem State University +$5,800
Lesley University$38,600
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lesley University
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lesley University
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lesley University B+
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Lesley University
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • Lesley University
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • Lesley University
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Lesley University
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lesley University 100%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lesley University 49%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lesley University 63%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Lesley University $251
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lesley University
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, 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 Lesley University based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 2,557 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lesley University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lesley University 10:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 15.5% lower than at Lesley University ($16,838 vs. $19,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 75.4% higher at Lesley University than at Salem State University (about $14,725 more per year; $34,256 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University than at Salem State University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lesley University students is 85.7% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($19,167 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Lesley University and Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Lesley University average a 3.31 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $320 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,320).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($248 vs. $251).
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation (63% 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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