Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, 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 Massachusetts College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,989 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Massachusetts College of Art and Design is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Massachusetts College of Art and Design 9:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 13.3% lower than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($16,838 vs. $19,412).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.2% higher at Massachusetts College of Art and Design than at Salem State University (about $23,869 more per year; $43,400 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Massachusetts College of Art and Design students is 1% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($10,421 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Salem State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Massachusetts College of Art and Design Feb 1, 2027; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Massachusetts College of Art and Design average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.36 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Massachusetts College of Art and Design vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates ($248 vs. $261).
• More Massachusetts College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 63%).

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