Salisbury vs. CofC

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with College of Charleston in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Charleston is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (11,926 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); College of Charleston is in Charleston, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Charleston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; College of Charleston 16:1.

Salisbury vs. CofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or CofC? 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 CofC ($18,760 vs. $21,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 3% lower than at College of Charleston ($13,900 vs. $14,332).
• College of Charleston is 17.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $1,894 more per year; $12,978.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.7% higher at CofC than at Salisbury University (about $16,122 more per year; $38,296.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Charleston than at Salisbury University (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 1.6% larger than aid received by College of Charleston students ($9,124 vs. $8,983).

Salisbury vs. CofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 20 points higher than at CofC (1230).
• Incoming CofC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; College of Charleston 1140/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; College of Charleston 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; CofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; CofC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CofC students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Salisbury (3.73).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than CofC (60%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 11.9% at CofC.

Salisbury vs. CofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and CofC? 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than College of Charleston's (63%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than CofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $1,347 lower median loan debt than CofC graduates ($20,153 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CofC graduates ($208 vs. $222).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CofC students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 60%)

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.