Salisbury vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Salisbury vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College ($18,760 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 18.7% lower than at Dickinson College ($13,900 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 492.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $54,566 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.1% higher at Dickinson College than at Salisbury University (about $43,476 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at Salisbury University (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 387.5% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($44,479 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 140 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming Dickinson College 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; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Salisbury vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Dickinson 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $847 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($20,153 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($208 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College 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.