Salem State University (SSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Salem State University
In a coastal New England city with a storied past, Salem State pairs practical academics with a grounded, student-first vibe. It's known for strengths in the arts and sciences, business, education, healthcare, and public service. Courses lean into real-world projects, backed by modern labs, studios, a lively library, performance spaces, and residence halls. Students tap advising, tutoring, counseling, and a career center that actually follows through.
Student life is active without the pressure cooker. Think student-run shows, service in the community, cultural orgs, rec sports, and easy access to the waterfront. The culture feels welcoming and purpose-driven, with a lot of first-gen pride. Career prep comes through internships and field placements across the North Shore and Greater Boston, plus local partners across sectors. Living in Salem means museums, coffee shops, and a fall season unlike anywhere. A small-city feel with big-network access.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Salem State University (SSU) offers 92 degree programs across 19 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,659 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (17 programs, 388 graduates), Health (7 programs, 280 graduates), Business (12 programs, 210 graduates), Public Services (1 programs, 157 graduates) and Psychology (4 programs, 155 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Education (17 programs, 388 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 115 |
|
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Early Childhood Education | 85 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1210 |
| Elementary Education | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1202 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 22 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
13.1101 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 20 |
|
Master's
|
13.1401 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 16 |
|
Master's
|
13.1314 |
| Instructional Technology | 13 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| History Teacher Education | 12 |
|
Master's
|
13.1328 |
| Special Education Teaching | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1205 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1315 |
| Higher Education Administration | 7 |
|
Master's
|
13.0406 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 5 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Post-Master's
|
13.0401 |
| Mathematics Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.1311 |
| Spanish Language Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Master's
|
13.1330 |
| School Library Media Specialist | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1334 |
| English Language Arts Teacher Education | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.1305 |
Health (7 programs, 280 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 174 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Health Administration and Management | 37 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0701 |
| Occupational Therapy | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.2306 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2399 |
| Nursing Science | 11 |
|
Master's
|
51.3808 |
| Nuclear Medical Technology | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0905 |
| Athletic Training | 2 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
Business (12 programs, 210 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 67 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Marketing Management | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Finance, General | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Human Resources Management | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1001 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
| Accounting and Finance | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0304 |
| Hospitality Management | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| International Business and Trade | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Management Science | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1301 |
| Management Information Systems | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1201 |
| Tourism and Travel Management | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0903 |
Public Services (1 programs, 157 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 157 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
44.0701 |
Psychology (4 programs, 155 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 97 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 28 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.2814 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 12 |
|
Master's
|
42.2804 |
Security & Safety (2 programs, 103 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 92 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0103 |
| Fire Services Administration | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0202 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 59 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0102 |
| Biochemistry | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1302 |
English (3 programs, 53 graduates)
English Literature, Creative Writing and Literary Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
23.0101 |
| Creative Writing | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1302 |
| Professional and Technical Writing | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
23.1303 |
Arts (11 programs, 52 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acting | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0506 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0502 |
| Advertising and Commercial Art | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0402 |
| Dance | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Painting | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0708 |
| Art History and Conservation | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Music | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Playwriting and Screenwriting | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0504 |
| Theatre Directing and Production | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0507 |
| Sculpture | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0709 |
| Printmaking | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0710 |
Social Sciences (6 programs, 50 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Geography | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0701 |
| Sociology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0702 |
| American Government and Politics | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1002 |
| Economics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Salem State University (SSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Salem State University (SSU)
How much does it cost to attend Salem State University (SSU)?
The annual tuition at Salem State University (SSU) is $11,978 for in-state students and $18,961 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $31,340 for in-state students and $38,323 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,378 (on) / $10,588 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Salem State University offer?
Salem State University (SSU) offers 92 academic programs across 19 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (17 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (7 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (12 programs)
- Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (1 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Salem State University?
Salem State University (SSU) has an 95.6% acceptance rate and a 17.5% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 4,852
- Students admitted: 4,637
- Students enrolled: 810
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Salem State University?
Salem State University (SSU) provides financial aid to 17% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $8,241 and average loans of $7,768.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,369
- State/Local grants: $3,710
- Institutional grants: $3,543
- Federal loans: $5,253
The university supports 844 students with grants and 596 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Salem State University graduates?
Salem State University (SSU) graduates earn a median salary of $48,209 after 6 years and $56,662 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $29,605 (25th percentile) to $93,086 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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