Established in 1854, it is the oldest and largest institute of higher education on the North Shore and is part of the state university system in Massachusetts.

The university offers a wide range of bachelor's and master's degrees as well as post-master's certificates in more than 40 academic disciplines.

It is the only member of the Massachusetts public higher education system with a graduate program in social work.

Early alumnae helped bring community service and education to others around the country such as Charlotte Forten, a graduate of the class of 1856, who was the first African-American school teacher to journey south and teach freed slaves.

In 1898, the student body became co-educational, although male enrollment remained small until the introduction of a commercial program in 1908, which combined professional business practice with pedagogical instruction.

Bill, enrollment increased significantly, particularly among male students, and new programs were added to accommodate this growth.

[citation needed] In the mid-1990s, the college moved forward with purchasing a 37.5-acre industrial site on Loring Avenue.

The site was formerly home to a lightbulb plant owned by the General Telephone & Electronics Corporation, formerly Sylvania Electric Products.

When GTE decided to exit the electrical equipment market, they sold off their former factory to Salem State.

On July 26, 2010, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a bill that elevated Salem State College and eight other public institutions to university status.

[13] The university has also entered into partnership with other international institutions in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Mexico.

[14] Salem State University is divided into six unique campuses totaling a land-mass of 115 acres with approximately thirty-three buildings.

The university also operates a maritime facility at Cat Cove on the Salem harbor; located a mile north of the main campus.

Facilities include Twohig Gymnasium, Rockett Ice Arena, Alumni Field, the Gassett Fitness Center, and the swimming pool.

The facility was used to provide interactive, hands-on educational experience for students majoring in marine biology.

In the past, Cat Cove had been used to study local shellfish.. Salem State has several Greek life organizations for men and women.