Head-to-head comparison
Salem State University vs Clark University: which has better ROI?
Option A Salem, MA
Salem State University
- Net price / year
- $15,996
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,662
- Payback
- 7.7 yrs
Option B Worcester, MA
Clark University
- Net price / year
- $28,714
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,381
- Payback
- 8.2 yrs
Salem State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $63,984 in 7.7 years versus 8.2 years at Clark University, on median earnings of $56,662 vs $62,381 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Salem State University | Clark University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,996 | $28,714 |
| Total net cost | $63,984 | $114,856 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,662 | $62,381 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,759 |
| Payback | 7.7 yrs | 8.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $102,056 | $165,564 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Salem State University or Clark University?
Salem State University, at $15,996 a year after aid versus $28,714 — a gap of $12,718 a year, or $50,872 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Salem State University or Clark University graduates earn more?
Clark University graduates report a median $62,381 ten years after entry, $5,719 more than the $56,662 at Salem State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Salem State University or Clark University?
Salem State University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,759 at Clark University, a difference of $1,759. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Clark University, against 50% at Salem State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.