Salem State University vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California Merced is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (9,110 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 21.5% lower than at University of California Merced ($16,838 vs. $21,445).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.1% higher at UC Merced than at Salem State University (about $30,292 more per year; $49,823 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at University of California Merced (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 164.5% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($27,292 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Salem State University and UC Merced.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at UC Merced average a 3.55 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Merced graduates have a $4,101 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($19,899 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Merced graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($205 vs. $248).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 63%).

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