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Salem State University acceptance rate & admissions

Salem State University admits 96% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 4,637 of 4,852 applicants were admitted and 810 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional).

Check your chances at Salem State University → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
96%

More selective than 5% of Massachusetts colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

6% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
17%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Salem State University over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied4,852
Admitted4,637
Enrolled810

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

What Salem State University weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Salem State University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • High school GPA
Not considered
  • Rigor of high school courses
  • Class rank
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character and personal qualities
  • First-generation college student
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Your demonstrated interest

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Early decision, early action and the waitlist

Early action (not binding)
Offered

You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.

Waitlist
No waitlist

Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Salem State University admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202496%———College Scorecard
Fall 202396%510–590480–570—IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is Salem State University compared with other Massachusetts colleges?

Salem State University has the 59th-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Massachusetts colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
54Worcester State University88%61%$13,381
55Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts90%56%$16,068
56University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth91%52%$20,927
57Wentworth Institute of Technology91%68%$34,170
58Massachusetts Maritime Academy95%74%$21,582
59Salem State University96%50%$15,996
60Bard College at Simon's Rock96%68%$31,625
61Lesley University97%58%$31,152
62American International College100%46%$23,274

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Massachusetts colleges →

Who enrolls at Salem State University

First-year students who return for year two75%
First-year students from Massachusetts90%
Pell Grant recipients35%
First-generation students40%
Women / men64% / 36%
International students4%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

Salem State University admissions questions

What is the Salem State University acceptance rate?

Salem State University accepts 96% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 4,637 of 4,852 applicants were admitted.

Does Salem State University require the SAT or ACT?

Salem State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 6% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores.

How many admitted students enroll at Salem State University?

17% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (810 of 4,637).

What does Salem State University look for in applicants?

Salem State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Is Salem State University getting harder to get into?

Salem State University accepted 96% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 96% for Fall 2023.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Salem State University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Salem State University overview