Check out why Salem State University received an F grade in our Report Card below. 
Salem State University is a public university in Salem, Massachusetts. It has three active Greek life organizations and more than 70 student clubs to get involved with. Students at Salem State University can attend Division III sporting events within the university, view live performances at the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, and explore historic downtown Salem.
Salem State University offers 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate programs for students to choose from. Notable former students include NBA coach Tom Thibodeau, actress Julie McNiven, and singer-songwriter Siobhan Magnus.

Salem State University receives a “D” grade by <a href="https://www.whatwilltheylearn.com/schools/3072" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What Will They Learn?</a> which takes into account the university’s educational prowess. Factors include composition, literature, foreign language, U.S. government or history, economics, mathematics, and natural science.
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What Will They Learn? Academic Score

Salem State University receives a “C+” grade for the Average Salary of Graduates Mid-Career. As of 2021, alumni with 10+ years of experience after graduating from Salem State University with a bachelor’s degree make $103,300 on average according to <a href="https://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/bachelors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Payscale</a>.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-80" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06154124/c-plus-e1671667027604.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

Average Salary of Graduates Mid-Career

Salem State University receives a “B-” grade for the Average Debt of Graduates (Federal and Private). In 2020, graduates accumulated $26,204 of debt on average from federal and/or private sources according to <a href="https://ticas.org/interactive-map/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Institute for College Access &amp; Success</a>.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-81" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06154457/b-minus-e1671667020486.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

Average Debt of Graduates (Federal and Private) 

Salem State University receives a “B” grade for Mandated Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Training for Staff. The <a href="https://www.salemstate.edu/offices-and-services/human-resources-and-equal-opportunity/human-resources-training-and-professional-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener">university</a> does not appear to require any training related to Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity.
However, the Center for Equity, Education, and Belonging <a href="https://www.salemstate.edu/salem-state-difference/mission-values-and-strategic-plan/institutional-diversity-statement/diversity-and-inclusion/center-equity-education-and-belonging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offers</a> several programs for faculty and staff including the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative and Building Inclusive Academic Communities (BIAC). The Center also offers Anti-Racism Resources for faculty and Employee Resource Groups.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-82" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06154915/b-e1671667012553.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

Mandated Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Training for Staff

Salem State University receives a “C” grade for having a Bias Reporting System but not a Bias Response Team. Bias Reporting Systems and Response Teams are systems or teams of faculty, staff, and sometimes law enforcement.
According to <a href="https://speechfirst.org/bias-reporting-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SpeechFirst</a>, students are “encouraged to report ‘bias incidents’ to these boards (or teams) in the name of inclusion and tolerance, but it’s often unclear what the school considers ‘bias’ in the first place. Overly broad or vague definitions of bias put all kinds of speech at risk of being reported – even unpopular speech which is protected by the First Amendment.”
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-79" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06151308/c-e1671667169543.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

Bias Reporting System or Bias Response Team

Salem State University receives an “F” grade for the Ratio of Right-Leaning Clubs to Left-Leaning Clubs. Out of a list of 20 clubs (10 from each side), the <a href="https://www.salemstate.edu/student-organizations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">university</a> has zero right-leaning clubs compared to one left-leaning club. Intersectional Feminist Collective is the one left-leaning club.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-83" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06163659/f-e1671666890828.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

Ratio of Right-Leaning Clubs to Left-Leaning Clubs

Salem State University receives a “C” grade because they do not have a Turning Point USA chapter. The university has not denied a Turning Point USA chapter on campus. Unfortunately, universities and Student Governments around the country often use their power to prevent certain clubs from operating on campus.
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Denied Turning Point USA Chapter

Salem State University receives a “D” grade for In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants. The <a href="https://www.salemstate.edu/admissions-and-aid/undergraduate-admissions/applicants/undocumented-students" target="_blank" rel="noopener">university&#8217;s</a> Undocumented Students page says DACA students may be eligible for in-state tuition through the &#8220;MA High School Completer &#8211; Tuition Equity Program.&#8221;
&#8220;Undocumented, non-U.S. citizens who have attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three years and earned a diploma (or the equivalent, such as a GED/HiSET) in Massachusetts, may be eligible for in-state tuition at Salem State.&#8221;
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-85" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06165831/d-e1671666996995.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

Salem State University receives an “F” grade for Required Equity, Diversity, or Inclusion Courses for Students. The <a href="https://www.salemstate.edu/gened" target="_blank" rel="noopener">university&#8217;s</a> General Education Curriculum page states:
&#8220;All students have a requirement [titled] Diversity, Power Dynamics, and Social Justice (DPDS) which is an institutional commitment to develop and teach different ways of thinking which have been drawn from and address the multiple histories and cultural heritages that shape the United States.&#8221;
<a href="https://ask.salemstate.edu/sites/default/files/solution/attachments/Master%20Schedule%20Spring%202024.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Course</a> options include, but are not limited to:
<ul>
<li>&#8220;Taxes, Society and Justice&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Bias Crime&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Fictions of Gender &amp; Sexuality&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;Intro to Feminist Theory&#8221;</li>
</ul>
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Required Equity, Diversity, or Inclusion Courses for Students

Salem State University receives a “C” grade for Segregated Dormitories, Graduations, and Classes. The university has one segregated convocation (<a href="https://www.salemstate.edu/campus-life/center-justice-and-liberation/lgbtqia-womens-programs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lavender Graduation</a>) as well as <a href="https://www.salemstate.edu/campus-life/living-campus/housing-information/gender-inclusive-housing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gender Inclusive Housing</a>.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-79" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06151308/c-e1671667169543.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

Segregated Dormitories, Graduations, and Classes

Salem State University receives a “B+” grade for Protests and Canceling Speakers. Since 2021, the university has had one incident. In November 2023, students led a <a href="https://www.salemnews.com/news/student-led-cease-fire-protest-delays-state-announcement/article_b88cd916-83de-11ee-af92-0f21889e91da.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protest</a> that took over the campus recital hall and demanded a ceasefire in Gaza.
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Protests and Canceling Speakers

Salem State University receives a “C” grade for Required Western Civilization Courses for Students. While the <a href="https://catalog.salemstate.edu/content.php?catoid=36&amp;navoid=7357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">university</a> does not have a required Western civilization course or category of courses, its required Human Past category offers several Western civilization <a href="https://catalog.salemstate.edu/content.php?filter%5B27%5D=-1&amp;filter%5B29%5D=&amp;filter%5Bcourse_type%5D=-1&amp;filter%5Bkeyword%5D=&amp;filter%5B32%5D=1&amp;filter%5Bcpage%5D=1&amp;cur_cat_oid=56&amp;expand=&amp;navoid=15024&amp;search_database=Filter#acalog_template_course_filter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">courses</a> for students to choose from, including:
<ul>
<li>“U.S. History and Constitutional Government I&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;The History of Rome&#8221;</li>
<li>&#8220;The American Presidency&#8221;</li>
</ul>
However, these courses can be bypassed in favor of courses unrelated to Western civilization.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-79" src="https://cdn.deanslist.org/be/2022/12/06151308/c-e1671667169543.png" alt="" width="80" height="80" />

Required Western Civilization Courses for Students

352 Lafayette St

Check out why Salem State University received an F grade in our Report Card below. 

Salem State University is a public university in Salem, Massachusetts. It has three active Greek life organizations and more than 70 student clubs to get involved with. Students at Salem State University can attend Division III sporting events within the university, view live performances at the Sophia Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts, and explore historic downtown Salem.

Salem State University offers 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate programs for students to choose from. Notable former students include NBA coach Tom Thibodeau, actress Julie McNiven, and singer-songwriter Siobhan Magnus.

Salem State University

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