University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Boston is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Salem State University is in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1; Salem State University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 12% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($16,838 vs. $19,128).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.2% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at Salem State University (about $18,594 more per year; $38,125 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at University of Massachusetts Boston (98% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 36.1% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($14,042 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at University of Massachusetts-Boston, test-free at Salem State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at University of Massachusetts-Boston average a 3.35 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $1,940 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($22,060 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($228 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 58%).

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