Solid graduate outcomes with earnings above the peer average.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Salem State graduates show steady earnings progression over time, with median income rising from $48,209 six years after enrollment to $54,540 at eight years and $56,662 at ten years. This represents 17.5% growth from the six-year to ten-year mark, indicating consistent career advancement for graduates.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings exceed the peer average, indicating above-typical outcomes for this institution type.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $25,000 in debt with typical earnings.
Salem State graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, compared to the peer median of $21,105, representing $3,895 more in borrowing than typical institutions. Debt levels range from $7,772 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating significant variation in borrowing patterns.
Salem State University demonstrates above-average return on educational investment, ranking at the 64.0th percentile nationally. Graduates earn $4,787 beyond expectations compared to similar students, placing the institution at the 73.1st percentile for earnings uplift.
Approximately 28.5% of Salem State graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on program mix analysis with medium confidence. This r...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Salem State's strongest earning programs demonstrate clear career focus and market relevance. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads with $79,660 median earnings, followed by Biology at $59,961 and Business Administration at $55,904.
These programs show how professional preparation translates into solid career outcomes. Lower-earning programs like English ($36,151) and Clinical Research Coordinator ($40,506) reflect different career pathways focused on service or advanced study preparation.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes show substantial variation, with the 25th percentile at $29,605 and 75th percentile at $93,086, creating a 3.1:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles. Low-income graduates earn $42,100, indicating positive mobility outcomes though below top-performing institutions.
