Salem State University vs. LGCNHS

Salem State University and Saint Joseph's University Lancaster side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Salem State University
Saint Joseph's University Lancaster

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: LGCNHS (41.2% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1140 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salem State University. Average net price is $17,541 vs $38,730 at LGCNHS.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salem State University $44,400 vs LGCNHS $51,300 (median).
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Key differences

Salem State University Saint Joseph's University Lancaster
Acceptance rate
LGCNHS more selective
Salem State University95.9%
LGCNHS41.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
LGCNHS higher
Salem State University990-1160
LGCNHS1050-1220
Average net price
Salem State University $21,189 less
Salem State University$17,541
LGCNHS$38,730
In-state tuition
Salem State University $20,595 less
Salem State University$12,338
LGCNHS$32,933
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $13,402 less
Salem State University$19,531
LGCNHS$32,933
Graduation rate
Salem State University +42 pts
Salem State University42%
LGCNHS-
Median earnings (10 years)
LGCNHS +$6,900
Salem State University$44,400
LGCNHS$51,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • LGCNHS 512
  • Admitted
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • LGCNHS 211
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • LGCNHS 41.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • LGCNHS 40.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salem State University 1080
  • LGCNHS 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salem State University
  • LGCNHS
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • LGCNHS -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salem State University B+
  • LGCNHS -
  • Admissions standards
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • LGCNHS Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Salem State University
  • LGCNHS Low
  • SAT range
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • LGCNHS 1050-1220
  • ACT range
  • Salem State University
  • LGCNHS
  • Submit test scores
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • LGCNHS Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • LGCNHS Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • LGCNHS $32,933
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • LGCNHS $32,933
  • Room & board
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • LGCNHS $16,240
  • Average net price
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • LGCNHS $38,730
  • Average grant aid
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • LGCNHS $7,920
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salem State University 98%
  • LGCNHS 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salem State University 42%
  • LGCNHS -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • LGCNHS $51,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salem State University 63%
  • LGCNHS 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • LGCNHS $18,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Salem State University $248
  • LGCNHS $191
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • LGCNHS 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • LGCNHS
    • Health Professions (100%)
  • Location
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • LGCNHS Lancaster, PA
  • Setting
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • LGCNHS Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • LGCNHS 1,439
  • Type
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • LGCNHS Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salem State University #779
  • LGCNHS

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Saint Joseph's University Lancaster in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than LGCNHS based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 1,439 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
  • Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Lancaster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Saint Joseph's University Lancaster 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster are 3.6% lower than at Salem State University ($16,240 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 68.6% higher at LGCNHS than at Salem State University (about $13,402 more per year; $32,933 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Saint Joseph's University Lancaster (98% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Lancaster students ($10,319 vs. $7,920).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at LGCNHS.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; LGCNHS Feb 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 40.8% at LGCNHS.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Joseph's University Lancaster graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($18,500 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, LGCNHS graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($191 vs. $248).
  • More LGCNHS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (70% 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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