Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Salem State admits about 10 in 10 applicants (96%). That puts it in the "Open" tier, more selective than 10% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (95% and 96%).
$50 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
11% of admitted students enroll, on the lower end nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 15; decisions by Jan 1
Where you stand
How Salem State reads a record
, GPA, class rank, and tests are all very important. 21% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher. Scores aren't read. Requires 4 years of English, 4 of math, 3 of science, and 1 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Very important | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Very important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Very important | ||||
| Geographic residence | Very important | ||||
| State residency | Very important | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Very important | ||||
| Volunteer work | Very important | ||||
| Work experience | Very important | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Very important | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
91% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 96% of first-year applicants
716 applied · 651 admitted · 394 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Minimum high school GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: decisions on a rolling basis
- Summer entry: decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Not required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Not required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Priority date: February 15. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting September 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within a set number of weeks if admitted later.
- $300 housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science (lab: 3) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 1 |
| History | 1 |
| Academic electives | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.22
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.010%
- 3.75–3.9911%
- 3.50–3.7413%
- 3.25–3.4914%
- 3.00–3.2414%
- below 3.037%
The middle half had GPAs of 2.50–3.74.
All nine bands
| GPA | Sent test scores |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 9.8% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 11.3% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 13.3% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 14.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 14.4% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 24.3% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 12.9% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Source:Salem State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1011 on the SAT, 159 points below the median for colleges that report scores.
Not considered
Scores aren't considered, even if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
29% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1000–1199.
31% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 500–599.
43% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 500–599.
Shares of the 7% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
At least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Salem State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Salem State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Salem State University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Salem State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)