AU vs. Salisbury

Deciding between American University and Salisbury University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

American University
Salisbury University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AU #94
  • Salisbury #352
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AU United Methodist
  • Salisbury -
  • Status
  • AU Non-profit
  • Salisbury Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AU
  • Salisbury

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AU $58,771
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • Room & Board
  • AU $17,982
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • Average Net Price
  • AU $39,676
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AU 67%
  • Salisbury 88%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AU 62%
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • Enrolled
  • AU 15.6%
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Salisbury 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Salisbury 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AU A-
  • Salisbury A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • AU Very High
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • AU Low
  • Salisbury
  • ACT Range
  • AU 29/32
  • Salisbury 20/29
  • SAT Range
  • AU 1280/1460
  • Salisbury 1180/1320
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AU 77%
  • Salisbury 67%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AU 80%
  • Salisbury 68%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AU $250
  • Salisbury $208

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AU 37%
  • Salisbury 42%
  • % Women
  • AU 63%
  • Salisbury 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AU High
  • Salisbury Medium
  • HBCU
  • AU No
  • Salisbury No
  • % White
  • AU 58%
  • Salisbury 71%
  • % Asian
  • AU 7%
  • Salisbury 3%
  • % Black
  • AU 7%
  • Salisbury 13%
  • % Hispanic
  • AU 12%
  • Salisbury 4%
  • % Native American
  • AU 0%
  • Salisbury 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AU 0%
  • Salisbury 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AU 5%
  • Salisbury 4%
  • % International
  • AU 7%
  • Salisbury 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AU 4%
  • Salisbury 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AU 3%
  • Salisbury 82%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AU 94%
  • Salisbury 17%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • AU Yes
  • Salisbury Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • AU No
  • Salisbury No
  • Meal Plan
  • AU Yes
  • Salisbury Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • AU Yes
  • Salisbury No
  • Daycare Facility
  • AU Yes
  • Salisbury No

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Salisbury University is in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Salisbury University 14:1.

AU vs. Salisbury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Salisbury? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Salisbury University than AU ($18,760 vs. $39,676).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 22.7% lower than at American University ($13,900 vs. $17,982).
  • American University is 430.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $47,687 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $11,084.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 165% higher at AU than at Salisbury University (about $36,597 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $22,174.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at American University (88% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 298.4% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($36,349 vs. $9,124).

AU vs. Salisbury Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Salisbury? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Salisbury and AU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 120 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
  • Incoming AU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Salisbury University 1180/1320.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Salisbury University 20/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Salisbury - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at AU (3.7).
  • Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than AU (62%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 18.4% at Salisbury.

AU vs. Salisbury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Salisbury? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
  • Graduates from American University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $4,097 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,153 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($208 vs. $250).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 68%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.