Salem State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$47,912
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$13,209/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
451%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual tuition at Salem State University is $11,978. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $46,092. Five years after graduation, the median salary is $48,209, and after ten years, it is $56,662. The median debt for graduates is $25,000, and 56.8% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the median debt of $25,000 and the one-year post-graduation salary of $46,092, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.54. This ratio is calculated by dividing the debt by the annual income.
To calculate the break-even point, the tuition cost is divided by the difference between the one-year post-graduation salary and the median debt. The break-even point is approximately 0.7 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$11,978
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$48,209
Graduation Rate
55%
Receive Financial Aid
57%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $47,912 | $79,660 | 1764% |
| Psychology, General. | $47,912 | $45,094 | 321% |
| Social Work. | $47,912 | $58,944 | 899% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $47,912 | $51,926 | 607% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $47,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $47,912 | $55,904 | 773% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $47,912 | $0 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $47,912 | $54,763 | 725% |
| Biology, General. | $47,912 | $59,961 | 942% |
| Social Work. | $47,912 | $41,045 | 152% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $47,912 | $43,852 | 270% |
| Marketing. | $47,912 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
451%
20yr ROI
575%
20yr ROI
326%
20yr ROI
248%
20yr ROI
390%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.