Salem State University vs. RIC

Salem State University and Rhode Island College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Salem State University
Rhode Island College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RIC (91.8% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1000 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: RIC. Average net price is $10,346 vs $17,541 at Salem State University.
  • Graduation: Salem State University 42% vs RIC 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salem State University $44,400 vs RIC $42,000 (median).
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Key differences

Salem State University Rhode Island College
Acceptance rate
RIC more selective
Salem State University95.9%
RIC91.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salem State University higher
Salem State University990-1160
RIC870-1120
Average net price
RIC $7,195 less
Salem State University$17,541
RIC$10,346
In-state tuition
RIC $1,038 less
Salem State University$12,338
RIC$11,300
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $7,768 less
Salem State University$19,531
RIC$27,299
Graduation rate
RIC +2 pts
Salem State University42%
RIC44%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salem State University +$2,400
Salem State University$44,400
RIC$42,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • RIC 5,415
  • Admitted
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • RIC 4,972
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • RIC 91.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • RIC 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salem State University 1080
  • RIC 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salem State University
  • RIC
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • RIC 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salem State University B+
  • RIC B
  • Admissions standards
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Salem State University
  • RIC
  • SAT range
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • RIC 870-1120
  • ACT range
  • Salem State University
  • RIC
  • Submit test scores
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • RIC Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • RIC $11,300
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • RIC $27,299
  • Room & board
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • RIC $13,414
  • Average net price
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • RIC $10,346
  • Average grant aid
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • RIC $6,706
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salem State University 98%
  • RIC 95%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salem State University 42%
  • RIC 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • RIC $42,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salem State University 63%
  • RIC 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • RIC $21,200
  • Median loan payment
  • Salem State University $248
  • RIC $219
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • RIC 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • RIC 6,155
  • Type
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salem State University #779
  • RIC #843

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 6,155 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 20.3% lower than at Salem State University ($13,414 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39.8% higher at RIC than at Salem State University (about $7,768 more per year; $27,299 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Rhode Island College (98% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 53.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($10,319 vs. $6,706).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at RIC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salem State University average a 3.17 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at RIC (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $2,800 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($21,200 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($219 vs. $248).
  • More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 59%).

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

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