Salem State University

In 2021, Salem State University's tuition was $910 a year for in-state students and $7,050 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students owe much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at Salem State University is $7,050 per year.

Salem State University meets 58% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Salem State University full-time are awarded $11,032 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $26,204 in student loans for each student with debt.

Salem State University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Salem State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $910 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-Massachusetts residents can expect to pay 7,050 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as Massachusetts residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to verify your state's requirements for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Massachusetts colleges

Tuition for International Students at Salem State University

Salem State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Salem State University usually pay around $7,050 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or Salem State University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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Salem State University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Salem State University.

House and Food Costs at Salem State University

Housing and campus dining at Salem State University is $16,003 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Salem State University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Salem State University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at Salem State University

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Salem State University, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is sometimes costly, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Salem State University campus is in a city in Massachusetts, not far from Boston.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Salem State University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Salem State University.

How Much Does Salem State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Salem State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$910
Out-of-State Tuition	$7,050
Room and Board	$16,003

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Salem State University Financial Aid

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The majority of Salem State University undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 3,823 of the 5,716 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Salem State University meets 58% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,032 a year. Around 82% of Salem State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Salem State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,204 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$25,996
State Loans	$3,103
Private Loans	$0

Most Common Loans for Salem State University Students
Federal Loans	82%
State loans	6%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Salem State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Salem State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Salem State University awarded 2,945 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $19.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $6.6 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Salem State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Salem State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Salem State University was $11,032 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Salem State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$5,917.8
Net In-state, Off-campus	$946.8
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$23,089.8

What will attending Salem State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Salem State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Salem State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Salem State University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Salem State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Salem State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Salem State University's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Salem State University

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