Salisbury vs. Elon

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salisbury vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Elon? 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 Elon ($18,760 vs. $44,440).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 7.2% lower than at Elon University ($13,900 vs. $14,985).
• Elon University is 323.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $35,874 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.8% higher at Elon than at Salisbury University (about $24,784 more per year; $46,958.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Elon University (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 95.8% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($17,867 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Elon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Elon (1210).
• Incoming Elon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Elon University 1130/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Elon University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Elon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Elon (3.65).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Elon (66.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Salisbury vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Elon? 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).

• Elon University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from Elon University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $3,097 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($20,153 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($208 vs. $240).
• More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.