Students at Salem State University consistently earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, with graduates seeing nearly $5,000 in additional earnings beyond expectations.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong support for first-generation students and affordable pricing, makes Salem State a reliable choice for families seeking both access and solid financial outcomes.
Salem State University ranks as a solid public institution in Massachusetts, delivering consistent value across return, affordability, and access metrics. What distinguishes Salem State is its ability to serve a diverse student body effectively—over 35% of students receive Pell Grants and more than 40% are first-generation college students—while still achieving earnings outcomes that exceed expectations by nearly $4,800 compared with similar institutions nationwide.
Graduates earn a median of $56,662 ten years after enrollment, with particularly strong outcomes in nursing, business administration, and other professional programs. The university's nursing program stands out as both large-scale and high-return, graduating 162 students annually with median earnings of $69,261. This combination of program strength and student support helps explain why Salem State consistently delivers earnings beyond expectations for its graduates.
As a medium-sized public university in Massachusetts, Salem State provides the accessibility of a regional institution with the academic breadth needed to support diverse career paths. The university maintains affordable net prices across income levels while offering programs that connect directly to stable employment opportunities in healthcare, business, education, and social services throughout the greater Boston region.
Salem State University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive regional institution with particular strength in health sciences and professional fields. The Adult Health Nursing program stands out as both the university's largest high-return program and a key driver of institutional success, graduating 162 students annually with median earnings of $69,261. This program exemplifies Salem State's ability to combine scale with quality outcomes, providing substantial workforce contribution to Massachusetts's healthcare sector.
Psychology represents the university's largest major with 142 graduates, offering a foundation for diverse career paths including social services, education, and graduate study. While early-career earnings of $35,505 are more moderate, this reflects the field's typical trajectory and the program's role in preparing students for both immediate employment and advanced study. Business Administration, with 83 graduates earning around $43,328, provides solid middle-management and entrepreneurial preparation that aligns well with regional economic opportunities.
The university's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused education that connects directly to employment opportunities in the greater Boston region. Exercise Science and Kinesiology, while smaller with 55 graduates, rounds out the portfolio with preparation for health and fitness careers. This combination of healthcare, business, social sciences, and applied health programs creates a comprehensive offering that serves diverse student interests while maintaining strong connections to regional workforce needs.
Salem State University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $56,662 ten years after enrollment. What makes these results particularly impressive is that graduates earn nearly $4,800 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add meaningful value beyond what would typically be expected. This earnings advantage places Salem State above average nationally for return on investment.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing program, which combines high enrollment with excellent earnings outcomes. Adult Health Nursing graduates 162 students annually and delivers median earnings of $69,261, making it both the largest and highest-return program at the institution. Business Administration graduates earn around $43,328 early in their careers, while Psychology—the university's largest major with 142 graduates—provides more moderate but still competitive earnings of $35,505. Exercise Science and Kinesiology rounds out the major programs with 55 graduates earning around $31,265.
Salem State's program mix reflects its mission as a comprehensive regional university, with particular strength in health sciences, business, and social sciences. The concentration in nursing and other healthcare fields helps drive the university's above-average earnings performance, as these programs connect directly to stable, well-compensated careers in Massachusetts's robust healthcare sector.
Salem State University maintains strong affordability across all income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay approximately $13,384 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net costs around $17,712 per year. Even high-income families pay a reasonable $24,642 annually, creating predictable pricing that helps families plan effectively for a four-year degree.
The university's debt structure supports long-term financial sustainability for graduates. Typical students leave with about $25,000 in federal loan debt, a manageable level given Salem State's median graduate earnings of $56,662. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $19,274, reflecting moderate family contributions that complement rather than overwhelm student borrowing. With a 0% federal loan default rate, Salem State demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their debt obligations after graduation.
What makes Salem State particularly sustainable financially is the combination of reasonable upfront costs and solid post-graduation earnings. The university's loan repayment patterns show steady progress, with borrowers consistently paying down balances at rates that exceed national averages. This combination of affordable entry costs and strong earnings outcomes creates a financial pathway that works for families across different income levels.
Salem State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
