First-Year Admission Requirements
All applicants are reviewed for admission based on his/her academic course levels, grades and standardized test scores (if submitted).
Apply Now!
To apply to Salem State University, please submit a complete application, $50 application fee, official transcript(s), and SAT and/or ACT scores (if applicable)*.
Required 17 college prep units
| English | 4 courses |
| Mathematics | 4 courses (Algebra I and II and Geometry or Trigonometry, or comparable coursework) including mathematics during senior year of high school |
| Science | 3 courses (each with laboratory) |
| Foreign Language | 2 courses (in a single language) |
| Social Science | 2 courses (including 1 course in U.S. history) |
| Electives | 2 courses (from the above subjects or the arts, humanities or computer science) |
Test Optional
Some applicants may be able to select "test optional" when completing his/her application. Learn how to select test optional and the requirements at salemstate.edu/testoptional. Please note that nursing applicants must submit test scores.
When test scores are submitted, we use a sliding scale based on a minimum grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) and a corresponding SAT or ACT score. If your grade-point average is 3.0 or higher and you have an SAT score above 990 (19 on the ACT), you will receive the highest consideration.
For students with a GPA below 3.0, this sliding scale will apply:
| GPA |
NEW SAT (evidence-based reading and writing, and mathematics) |
ACT |
| 2.51 - 2.99 | 990 | 19 |
| 2.41 - 2.50 | 1030 | 20 |
| 2.31 - 2.40 | 1070 | 21 |
| 2.21 - 2.30 | 1110 | 22 |
| 2.11 - 2.20 | 1140 | 23 |
| 2.00 - 2.10 | 1180 | 24 |
Nursing applicants**
| 3.3 GPA | SAT 1030 | ACT 20 |
Please note that these are minimum admissions standards and do not guarantee admission. Some of our majors are highly competitive and require higher academic standards and early application submission. Information on this website is subject to change at any time.