Salem State University ROI Analysis
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
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
451%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, Salem State University alumni earn a median salary of $46,092. The median debt for graduates is $25,000. With an in-state tuition of $11,978, the annual salary is nearly four times the tuition cost.
Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $48,209. Ten years after graduation, the median salary is $56,662. The data does not provide enough information to calculate a debt-to-income ratio or a break-even timeline.
Salem State University has a high acceptance rate of 95.6% and a graduation rate of 55.2%. The retention rate is 73.7%, and 56.8% of students receive financial aid.
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
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $79,660 | 1764% |
| Social Work | $58,944 | 899% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $54,763 | 725% |
| Psychology, General | $45,094 | 321% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,926 | 607% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,904 | 773% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $0 | N/A |
| Biology, General | $59,961 | 942% |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $0 | N/A |
| Education, General | $38,488 | 46% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $68,224 | 1287% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,852 | 270% |
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
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.