Salem State University

Discover Salem State University

Salem State University is located just 15 miles north of Boston, in the historic seacoast town of Salem, and is one of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Salem State occupies 115 acres on five campuses less than a mile from downtown Salem.

Salem State has over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students representing 26 states and 52 nations. The university is home to over 2,000 undergraduate resident students in three residence halls and two residential complexes.

Salem State offers an affordable, high quality education that prepares students for the real world. Over 70 percent of Salem State's students receive financial aid.

Top Ten Majors

Some of the most popular majors offered at Salem State, in descending order, include business administration, nursing, education, criminal justice, biology, psychology, communications, sport and movement science, English, and history. There are 29 majors, 100 concentrations, and 59 minors offered at Salem State.

The following is a list of all majors available at Salem State: art, athletic training, biology, business administration, cartography and geographic information systems, chemistry, communications, computer science, criminal justice, economics, education, English, geography, geological sciences, history, liberal studies, mathematics, music, nursing, political science, psychology, social work, sociology, Spanish, sport and movement science, and theatre arts.

Salem State's academic programs advance the intellectual and personal growth of all students through a wide spectrum of learning opportunities and high-quality academic programs.

Faculty Members Who Inspire, Encourage, and Support

At Salem State students will find deeply engaged faculty members who are highly qualified researchers and practitioners that bring their expertise to the classroom. Salem's faculty members are committed to providing students with the tools needed for academic success and lifelong education. With a 16:1 student to faculty member ratio, faculty members are involved and foster student's academic development.

A Rich Tradition of Excellence in Intercollegiate Athletics

Salem State offers its students a chance to compete in intramural athletic clubs and in a variety of competitive intercollegiate conferences. Salem State, a member of the NCAA Division III, fields men's and women's teams in 17 varsity sports. The athletic program operates out of the Richard B. O'Keefe Sports Center, regarded as one of the finest athletic facilities among Massachusetts state universities. A new fitness and recreation center will open in the fall of 2013. Intercollegiate sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and club ice hockey.

Over 100 Student Groups and Clubs On Campus

Salem State offers a national award-winning residence life program with opportunities for civic engagement, volunteer and community services with experiential learning opportunities, numerous student leadership programs, comprehensive multicultural programs and services, and Army and Air Force ROTC. With more than 500 on-campus events each year, there is always something to do!

Center for Creative and Performing Arts

The Center for Creative and Performing Arts provides diverse, high quality and affordable events in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, and visual art for all members of the university community and the greater North Shore. The university offers over 100 arts events each year, has three different stages, music rehearsal rooms, and a glassblowing studio?one of only three at a college campus in Massachusetts.

Commonwealth Honors Program

The Commonwealth Honors Program provides a stimulating academic environment and a high-quality education designed to provide a more challenging curriculum to motivated and talented students. Honors program students are exempted from the limit on the maximum number of credits taken each semester and may enter advanced-level courses without introductory level prerequisites; they also have priority in course selection at registration and other benefits that assist them in their academic journeys.

Study Abroad Experience

Study abroad experience--whether for two weeks, a semester, a summer, or a year--provide Salem State students unique opportunities to become intimately familiar with other cultures. Salem State sponsors summer and semester programs in Oxford, England; Caen, France; Oviedo, Spain; Florence, Italy; and Quebec, Canada. In the past few years, Salem State students have studied in Argentina, Austria, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, and Spain. Additional opportunities are available through programs sponsored by other institutions. Throughout their time at Salem State students will also meet fellow learners from one of 52 different countries.

Salem State has been recognized as a top producer of Fulbright Scholars among master?s degree-granting institutions for the 2011-2012 academic year. Fulbright is the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange program in the world.

Academic Support Services for All Enrolled Students

The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) provides academic support to all enrolled students. Academic support includes academic advising, accounting lab, disability services, the math lab, peer tutoring, the reading center, and the writing center. The center for academic excellence also offers alternative admissions opportunities for students who show evidence of having academic deficiencies during high school.

Preparing Students for Careers

Career services offers comprehensive career planning support to all members of the Salem State community in identifying, planning and implementing thoughtful career decisions by empowering them to proactively manage their career paths. Seminars, individual counseling sessions, mock interviews, critiques, job listings, and the career resource center are a few of the valuable services available.

City of Salem

Salem, Massachusetts is a coastal city located just 15 miles north of Boston; with bus stops located next to campus and a commuter rail one mile away, a day trip to Boston is easily within reach. Salem?s vibrant downtown is home to multiple museums, restaurants and stores guaranteed to keep weekends busy all year through.

• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biochemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Cell and Molecular Biology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Environmental Biology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Accounting and Finance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Entrepreneurship
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Finance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Hospitality Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Tourism and Travel Services Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Human Resources Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• International Business/Trade/Commerce
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Management Information Systems
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marketing/Marketing Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Journalism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public Relations/Image Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Advertising
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Middle School Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Secondary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Early Childhood Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish Language Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Writing
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• Spanish
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Nuclear Medical Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Athletic Training
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• American History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• European History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public/Applied History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services
• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fire Services Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Mathematics and Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• General Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal Arts and Sciences and Humanities Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Parks, Recreation and Leisure
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health and Physical Education/Fitness
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sport And Fitness Administration/Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geology/Earth Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geography
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geographic Information Science and Cartography
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Transportation and materials moving
• Aviation/Airway Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Commercial and Advertising Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Design and Applied Arts Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Theater Design and Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Theater Literature, History and Criticism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Acting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Photography
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art History, Criticism and Conservation
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Painting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sculpture
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Printmaking
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied4,855
• Accepted3,364
• Acceptance Rate69%
• Enrolled7,741
• Female Applicants3,193
• Females Accepted2,248
• Female Acceptance Rate70%
• Male Applicants1,662
• Males Accepted1,116
• Male Acceptance Rate67%
• Applying
• Application Fee$40
• Required for All Transcript of high school record
  Minimum high school GPA of 2
  
• Required for Some Interview
  
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.09
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen May 1st Yes
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Yes
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 493 440 545
• SAT Math 497 450 540
• SAT Writing 486 430 540
• ACT Composite
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$910
• Out-of-state tuition *$7,050
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$7,140.00
• Room and board *Not Reported
• Room only *$8,292.00
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees, Senior Citizens

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students7,741
• Male Student Percentage39%
• Female Student Percentage61%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/LatinoNot Reported
• Black or African AmericanNot Reported
• White or CaucasianNot Reported
• American Indian or Alaska NativeNot Reported
• AsianNot Reported
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific IslanderNot Reported
• Two or more racesNot Reported
• UnknownNot Reported
• Other Student Statistics
• International BreakoutNot Reported
• Out-of-state Students3% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements Not Reported
• Housing options Coed housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 28%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station Yes
• Marching band No
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services Yes
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center Yes
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities Yes
• Greek sororities Yes
• Local fraternities No
• Local sororities No
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations Student Government Association, Program Council, Residence Hall Association, Multicultural Student Association, Hispanic- American Society
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other Not Reported

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No Division 3 No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cheerleading Yes No No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Field hockey No No No
• Football Yes No No
• Golf No Division 3 No
• Ice hockey Yes Division 3 No
• Lacrosse No Division 3 No
• Rugy Yes No No
• Soccer No Division 3 No
• Softball No No No
• Tennis No Division 3 No
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cheerleading Yes No No
• Cross-country running No Division 3 No
• Field hockey No Division 3 No
• Football Yes No No
• Golf No No No
• Ice hockey Yes Division C No
• Lacrosse No Division 3 No
• Rugy Yes No No
• Soccer No Division 3 No
• Softball No Division 3 No
• Tennis No Division 3 No
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes Division 3 No

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty783
• Full-time Percentage44%
• Part-time Percentage56%
• Female Percentage57%
• Male Percentage43%
• Student:Faculty RatioNot Reported