Salem State University's published cost of attendance is $28,291. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $10,516, middle-income families pay around $13,821, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,223.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $28,291 |
| Tuition and Fees | $19,531 |
| Room and Board | $16,838 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$12,295 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $15,996 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $10,516 |
| $30–48k | $13,870 |
| $48–75k | $13,821 |
| $75–110k | $17,590 |
| $110k+ | $23,223 |
Salem State University's published cost of attendance is $28,291. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $10,516, middle-income families pay around $13,821, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,223. Azimuth ranks Salem State University #523 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Salem State's affordability profile reflects a public institution's tuition structure paired with need-based aid reach. The relatively narrow spread across income bands suggests that aid allocation is modest at higher income levels, a pattern typical of public regional universities. Families applying for aid use the FAFSA, and Salem State participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs. For families weighing whether Salem State's net price aligns with their budget, the income-band figures above provide a realistic starting point — though individual circumstances, merit aid eligibility, and other funding sources will shape the final out-of-pocket cost. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,128; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,605, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Salem State University earn median earnings of $62,605 four years after enrollment, placing Salem State University in the 62.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $10,168 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Salem State University in the 86.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Salem State University #493 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Salem State University also sits in the 50.5 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions — a historical 10-year Scorecard measure not yet updated to the four-year horizon. The earnings pattern at Salem State University is anchored by its dominant Business concentration, which drives a meaningful share of graduate outcomes. Nursing stands out as the program combining the broadest cohort scale with strong median earnings, making it a key contributor to the institution's overall return profile. Nursing, with 155 graduates earning median earnings of $95,550 four years after enrollment, is among the highest-earning programs at the institution; Azimuth ranks Nursing #99 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions . Psychology, General and Criminal Justice also contribute meaningfully to the institution's median earnings picture, with graduates in those fields posting competitive four-year earnings relative to their national benchmarks. Programs in Business represent 18% of degree output, with Education and Arts accounting for 7% and 6%, respectively — a mix that reflects MA's regional labor market demand across professional and applied fields.
