School value profile
Salem State University OT value profile
Review why Salem State University ranks #50 in The OT Index public-program value ranking, including institution-level cost, debt, completion, state labor-market context, and matched ACOTE program profiles.
Value rank #5052.7 value score$12,338 in-state tuition$25,000 median debt
Value snapshot
Cost, debt, completion, and career-return context
This profile keeps College Scorecard institution-level measures separate from ACOTE and NBCOT program-specific context so applicants can see what is known and what still needs direct confirmation.
Our take
Salem State University value assessment
Why it stands out
- Massachusetts's labor-market score is above the program-set midpoint, giving graduates a stronger local employment backdrop than price alone would suggest.
Tradeoffs that matter
- Published in-state tuition is $1,866 above the comparison midpoint, so this is not one of the genuinely low-price public options.
- Median debt is $4,049 above the midpoint. That borrowing result directly weakens the return-on-cost case.
- 50% completion trails the 54% comparison midpoint, so the institution pairs its price with a less reassuring completion record.
What to compare next
- Compare Salem State University with the two nearest-ranked public options on tuition and debt separately; similar value scores can be driven by different affordability strengths.
- Compare the matched OT master's program profile on degree and delivery format before treating the institution-level price advantage as a program-level win.
- Put Massachusetts's labor-market score beside the state where you expect to work after graduation; local value is less relevant when the likely first job is elsewhere.
Applicant read
What makes this school look affordable—or not
The value score is strongest when low cost, manageable debt, institution-wide completion strength, and local labor-market opportunity point in the same direction.
Published tuition
The published in-state tuition is competitive, but program fees and living costs can erase some of that advantage.
Median debt
The institution-wide median debt is high enough to weaken the affordability case even if the published tuition looks competitive.
Completion rate
The institution-wide completion rate is low enough to undercut the value case: a low price matters less when completion is less dependable.
State opportunity
Massachusetts strengthens the value case because its BLS pay and employment figures compare well with other states.
Program profiles
Linked ACOTE program profiles
Open the program-level profiles before treating the institution-level value score as an application decision.
| Program profile | Value context | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Salem State University OT master's profile | OT master's program; ACOTE next on-site review 2027/2028. | Open profile |
Compare value options
Other public OT value profiles
Compare the value score against other public options before narrowing your application list.
Rank #16
Worcester State University
$11,786 in-state tuition; $19,500 median debt; 61.6 value score.
Open value profile Rank #49Northern Arizona University
$13,009 in-state tuition; $19,000 median debt; 52.8 value score.
Open value profile Rank #51Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
$7,518 in-state tuition; $22,500 median debt; 52.6 value score.
Open value profile
Salem State University is a weaker value proposition than most public institutions in this comparison for an in-state applicant. Neither tuition nor debt beats the comparison midpoint, which explains the weaker placement. The 50% completion rate weakens the case.