Salem State University vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Saginaw Valley State University is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (6,822 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 26.7% lower than at Salem State University ($12,340 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.9% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Salem State University (about $10,919 more per year; $30,450 vs. $19,531).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University as at Saginaw Valley State University (98% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 30.9% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($13,512 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at Saginaw Valley State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Saginaw Valley State University average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 48%).

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