Salem State University vs. Maria College of Albany

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Maria College of Albany in Albany, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than Maria College of Albany based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 722 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Maria College of Albany is in Albany, NY (Small City setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Maria College of Albany is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Maria College of Albany 6:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maria College of Albany are 43.6% lower than at Salem State University ($9,500 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Salem State University than at Maria College of Albany (about $791 more per year; $19,531 vs. $18,740).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Maria College of Albany (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Maria College of Albany students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($10,405 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at Maria College of Albany.
• 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, 0.67 higher than at Maria College of Albany (2.5).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 28.3% at Maria College of Albany.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have a $3,882 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($20,118 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($208 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maria College of Albany 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.