Salem State vs Plymouth State
Salem State University and Plymouth State University, both esteemed public universities in Massachusetts, offer distinct educational experiences. Salem State, located just north of Boston, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on liberal arts and sciences. Plymouth State, situated in the charming town of Plymouth, excels in STEM fields and offers a variety of hands-on learning opportunities. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to diverse student needs. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Plymouth State University |
![]() Salem State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Plymouth, New Hampshire | Salem, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 64.0% | 75.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.7% | 90.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 6,856 | 6,287 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,285 | 5,659 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 936 | 939 |
Yield rate | 14.9% | 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 |
In state:
$29,804
Out of state:
$39,744
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In state:
$27,123
Out of state:
$33,928
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Average net price | $20,145 | $18,125 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,870
Out of state:
$21,810
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In state:
$910
Out of state:
$7,050
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,600
Meal plan:
$3,980
|
$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 $8,983 |
91.0%
Average amount $7,673 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
79.0%
Average amount $5,237 |
67.0%
Average amount $4,984 |
Students taking out private loans |
20.0%
Average amount $14,585 |
10.0%
Average amount $12,948 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,536
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% |
5,555
Men 34.5% Women 65.5% |
Graduate students |
688
Men 28.2% Women 71.8% |
1,576
Men 21.8% Women 78.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 7.5% | N/A |
International students | 1.6% | 2.5% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,561 | 1,928 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New Hampshire Mississippi Maine Rhode Island Vermont | 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 | 18:1 | 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 | 53.3% | 56.8% |
Dropout rate | 46.3% | 40.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master'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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