Salisbury vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salisbury University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Salisbury vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Elms College? 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 Elms College ($18,760 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 10.9% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($13,900 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 290.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $32,241 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.4% higher at Elms College than at Salisbury University (about $21,151 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 270.4% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($33,794 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 10 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Elms College (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Salisbury vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Elms College? 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 Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $4,847 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($20,153 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($208 vs. $258).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 61%)

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.