Salisbury vs. Providence

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Providence based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salisbury vs. Providence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Providence? 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 Providence ($18,760 vs. $48,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 22.1% lower than at Providence College ($13,900 vs. $17,840).
• Providence College is 473.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $52,466 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.6% higher at Providence than at Salisbury University (about $41,376 more per year; $63,550.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Providence College (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Providence College students is 249.3% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($31,873 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Providence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Providence College (1320) is 70 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming Providence students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Providence College 1250/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Providence College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Providence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Providence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Providence (3.47).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Providence (50.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 19.2% at Providence.

Salisbury vs. Providence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Providence? 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).

• Providence College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from Providence College earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,000 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 Providence graduates ($20,153 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Providence graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More Providence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.