The Value oƒ a Salem State Education
Earning a bachelor’s degree from Salem State University equips you with a solid academic foundation and empowers you to become a lifelong learner, responsible citizen and successful professional in your chosen field. For every dollar a student invests in their Salem State education, they receive $23 in lifetime earnings.*
• EXPERT FACULTY: The university boasts a faculty of dedicated professors who are experts in their respective fields. They provide engaging and high-quality education, ensuring a transformative learning experience. Faculty members are accessible, supportive and committed to helping you achieve your academic goals.
• EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: Our academic programs strongly emphasize experiential learning, providing hands-on opportunities for you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. Through internships, research projects and community engagement initiatives, you will gain practical skills, industry connections and a competitive edge in the job market.
• CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT: Career Services provides comprehensive support to students throughout their academic journey and beyond, including the tools and resources to launch successful careers, from career counseling and resume building to job fairs and networking events.
• ALUMNI NETWORK: Vikings have a strong and active alumni network, with graduates excelling in various fields and industries. As a student, you become part of this network, gaining access to valuable regional connections, mentorship opportunities and professional development experiences.
• STRONG COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Our campus culture is deeply rooted in the community and encourages students to actively engage with the surrounding area. The university’s location in Salem, Massachusetts offers a vibrant cultural and historical setting, providing unique opportunities for learning, networking and personal growth.
• PERSONAL GROWTH AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: The university fosters a supportive and inclusive campus environment, promoting cultural awareness, tolerance and social responsibility, giving you a competitive advantage in the job market as employers increasingly seek individuals with diverse perspectives and cross-cultural communication skills.
RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT
*Based on The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities estimate of a $1.2M lifetime earnings for bachelor’s degree holders and four years of Salem State University’s 2024-25 in-state tuition and fees. $85,800 median annual wage with a bachelor’s degree 2.2% UNEMPLOYMENT rate with a bachelor’s degree $1,493 median usual weekly earnings with a bachelor’s degree $45,040 median annual wage with a high school diploma
“Employment Projections: Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2024.
$899 median usual weekly earnings with a high school diploma
“Education pays, 2023,” Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2024.
MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE #1 #2 #3 Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree? THE PROOF IS IN THE NUMBERS
3.9% UNEMPLOYMENT rate with a high school diploma
“Education pays, 2023,” Career Outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 2024.
Financial Aid
At Salem State, we focus our financial aid resources on students with financial needs as defined by the federal government’s FAFSA calculations. For detailed information about federal student aid, visit studentaid.gov.
WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID?
Financial aid is money to help you pay for your education expenses. Types of aid include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. The amount you receive is determined by your Cost of Attendance (COA) and Student Aid Index (SAI).
HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
• Create a Federal Student Aid ID at studentaid.gov
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov by February 15. Salem State’s school code is 002188
• After applying, log in to Navigator (navigator.salemstate.edu), the Salem State student portal, to check your financial aid to-do list and ensure all documents have been received. We also encourage you to regularly monitor the email address provided on your application for updates.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once a FAFSA has been completed and submitted, and you have been admitted, the financial aid office creates a cost of attendance estimate for you. This cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room and board, transportation costs, and supplies. Miscellaneous expenses are also included so you can see if you will need additional funding resources such as loans, grants and/or scholarships.
$8,241
average amount of any grants or scholarships awarded to fall 2022 full-time freshmen 98% of fall 2022 full-time freshmen received some form of grants or scholarships
#1university in Massachusetts on CollegeNET’s Social Mobility Index, opening doors for your future earning potential
High Quality Education AT AN
AFFORDABLE PRICE
MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS MAY BE ABLE TO EARN THEIR BACHELOR’S DEGREE AT SALEM STATE FOR FREE OR AT LITTLE COST. SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR MASSGRANT PLUS EXPANSION.
WHAT IS MASSGRANT PLUS EXPANSION?
Governor Healey has expanded MASSGrant Plus*, making Massachusetts public college and universities more affordable for thousands of students. Take advantage of this new financial incentive by attending Salem State!
PELL GRANT-ELIGIBLE STUDENTS
Pell Grant-eligible students, typically those with a family-adjusted gross income of approximately $73,000 or less annually, may be eligible to receive free tuition and fees and a $1,200 allowance for books and supplies
MIDDLE-INCOME STUDENTS
Middle-income students with familyadjusted gross incomes between $73,000 and $100,000 annually may be eligible to receive a 50 percent reduction in tuition and fees.
*You must be a Massachusetts resident to be eligible. The costs of room and board are not covered by this program. AUGUST 1
NEXT STEPS
1. Complete the FAFSA
2. Submit a completed admissions application
Once we receive all your completed materials, we’ll let you know if you qualify.
Learn more and discover other aid at salemstate.edu/grants-scholarships
DACA AND UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS
Salem State is dedicated to helping DACA and undocumented students achieve their dreams of higher education. We understand their unique challenges and are committed to providing support through various funding opportunities.
Our goal is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed and thrive in their academic pursuits.
We encourage prospective students and their supporters to explore available financial resources and learn more about funding their education at Salem State, including the Massachusetts High School Completer Tuition Equity Program, The Dream.US National Scholarship and more. salemstate.edu/dream