Salem State University vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 21.9% lower than at Salem State University ($13,144 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at SFASU than at Salem State University (about $3,895 more per year; $23,426 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Stephen F Austin State University (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($10,694 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at SFASU.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at SFASU average a 3.26 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salem State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Salem State University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 52%).

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