Salem State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Salem State University charges a net price of $15,996/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $63,984. Graduates earn a median $56,662 ten years after entry, $8,302/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 7.7 years — a 20-year net return of $102,056, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Salem State University's 7.7-year payback ranks #673 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 48% of them, and #40 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,996/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $63,984 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $56,662 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,302/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 7.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $102,056 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Salem State University's own numbers. Net price $15,996 × 4 years = $63,984 total. Median earnings $56,662 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,302 a year of premium. $63,984 ÷ $8,302 = 7.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $102,056. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Salem State University students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 44% of the $56,662 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Salem State University students graduate?
50% finish their degree — 50% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $63,984 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $127,968 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Salem State University expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $15,996 net price runs $8,887 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $35,548 less across the full degree.