Salem State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salem State University is larger than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 4,916 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 37.4% lower than at Salem State University ($10,533 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.2% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than at Salem State University (about $3,559 more per year; $23,090 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($10,719 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Salem State University, test optional at University of South Carolina-Upstate.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Salem State University average a 3.17 high school GPA, 0.64 higher than at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($232 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Upstate students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 55%).

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