Salem State University vs. Penn State Scranton

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

Salem State University
Penn State Scranton

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Salem State University (95.9% admitted vs 98.5%). Typical SAT 1080 vs 1190.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $17,541 at Salem State University vs $17,536 at Penn State Scranton. Penn State Scranton in-state tuition is about $2,870 more per year.
  • Graduation: Salem State University 42% vs Penn State Scranton 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salem State University $44,400 vs Penn State Scranton $55,300 (median).
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Key differences

Salem State University Penn State Scranton
Acceptance rate
Salem State University more selective
Salem State University95.9%
Penn State Scranton98.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Penn State Scranton higher
Salem State University990-1160
Penn State Scranton1100-1270
Average net price
About even
Salem State University$17,541
Penn State Scranton$17,536
In-state tuition
Salem State University $2,870 less
Salem State University$12,338
Penn State Scranton$15,208
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $5,861 less
Salem State University$19,531
Penn State Scranton$25,392
Graduation rate
Penn State Scranton +4 pts
Salem State University42%
Penn State Scranton46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Penn State Scranton +$10,900
Salem State University$44,400
Penn State Scranton$55,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Penn State Scranton 2,155
  • Admitted
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Penn State Scranton 2,123
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Penn State Scranton 98.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Penn State Scranton 8.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Penn State Scranton 1190
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salem State University
  • Penn State Scranton
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Penn State Scranton -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salem State University B+
  • Penn State Scranton -
  • Admissions standards
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Penn State Scranton Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Salem State University
  • Penn State Scranton
  • SAT range
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • Penn State Scranton 1100-1270
  • ACT range
  • Salem State University
  • Penn State Scranton
  • Submit test scores
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Penn State Scranton Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Penn State Scranton
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Penn State Scranton $15,208
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Penn State Scranton $25,392
  • Room & board
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Penn State Scranton $15,274
  • Average net price
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Penn State Scranton $17,536
  • Average grant aid
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • Penn State Scranton $10,089
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Penn State Scranton 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Penn State Scranton 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Penn State Scranton $55,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Penn State Scranton 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Penn State Scranton $26,818
  • Median loan payment
  • Salem State University $248
  • Penn State Scranton $277
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Penn State Scranton 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Penn State Scranton
    • Business (39%)
    • Health Professions (37%)
    • Work and Family Studies (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
    • Ethnic Studies (4%)
  • Location
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Penn State Scranton Dunmore, PA
  • Setting
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Penn State Scranton Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Penn State Scranton 800
  • Type
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • Penn State Scranton Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salem State University #779
  • Penn State Scranton

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Penn State Scranton in Dunmore, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than Penn State Scranton based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 800 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Scranton is in Dunmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Scranton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Penn State Scranton 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Scranton are 9.3% lower than at Salem State University ($15,274 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at Penn State Scranton than at Salem State University (about $5,861 more per year; $25,392 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Penn State Scranton (98% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Scranton students ($10,319 vs. $10,089).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at Penn State Scranton.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 8.6% at Penn State Scranton.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $2,818 lower median loan debt than Penn State Scranton graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,818).
  • Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Scranton graduates ($248 vs. $277).
  • More Penn State Scranton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (69% 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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