Salisbury vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salisbury University is larger than Bucknell based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 3,969 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Bucknell University 9:1.

Salisbury vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Bucknell? 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 Bucknell ($18,760 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 17.9% lower than at Bucknell University ($13,900 vs. $16,924).
• Bucknell University is 511.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $56,728 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.8% higher at Bucknell than at Salisbury University (about $45,638 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Bucknell University (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 390.3% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($44,734 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salisbury or Bucknell? 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 Bucknell and Salisbury.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bucknell University (1390) is 140 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming Bucknell students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Bucknell (28.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Salisbury vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Bucknell? 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).

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $24,300 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,847 lower median loan debt than Bucknell graduates ($20,153 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.