Salem State vs Fisher College
Salem State University and Fisher College, both located in Massachusetts, offer distinct educational experiences. Salem State, a public university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (83%) compared to Fisher College's more selective admissions (67%). Salem State's larger student body reflects a diverse mix of backgrounds, while Fisher College's smaller size fosters a close-knit community. In terms of academics, Salem State offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like Business Administration and Psychology, while Fisher College specializes in career-focused programs such as Business and Fashion Merchandising. With comparable graduation rates, both institutions provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen fields. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and goals.
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![]() Fisher College |
![]() Salem State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Boston, Massachusetts | Salem, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 54.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 72.4% | 90.0% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | 800 - 1070 | N/A |
ACT range | 15 - 24 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,897 | 6,287 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,096 | 5,659 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 197 | 939 |
Yield rate | 9.4% | 16.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $48,700 |
In state:
$27,123
Out of state:
$33,928
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Average net price | $26,130 | $18,125 |
Tuition | $32,500 |
In state:
$910
Out of state:
$7,050
|
Room & board | $17,000 | $14,590 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $23,143 |
91.0%
Average amount $7,673 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
90.0%
Average amount $4,775 |
67.0%
Average amount $4,984 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $14,653 |
10.0%
Average amount $12,948 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,253
Men 31.2% Women 68.8% |
5,555
Men 34.5% Women 65.5% |
Graduate students |
114
Men 32.5% Women 67.5% |
1,576
Men 21.8% Women 78.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 7.5% | 2.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 289 | 1,928 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York New Hampshire Connecticut Rhode Island Vermont |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 35.6% | 56.8% |
Dropout rate | 24.1% | 40.8% |
Transferred out | 39.9% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Associate's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
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