Salem State University vs. Eastern Michigan University

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Michigan University is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (12,631 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Eastern Michigan University is in Ypsilanti, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Eastern Michigan University 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Michigan University are 18.9% lower than at Salem State University ($13,652 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Salem State University than at Eastern Michigan University (about $3,291 more per year; $19,531 vs. $16,240).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Eastern Michigan University (98% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Michigan University students is 29.6% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($13,370 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at Eastern Michigan University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Eastern Michigan University average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 9.7% at Eastern Michigan University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Eastern Michigan University graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern Michigan University graduates ($248 vs. $263).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern Michigan University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 45%).

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