Salisbury vs. Rider University

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Rider University based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 4,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salisbury vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Rider University? 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 Rider University ($18,760 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 19.3% lower than at Rider University ($13,900 vs. $17,230).
• Rider University is 271% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $30,036 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.4% higher at Rider University than at Salisbury University (about $18,946 more per year; $41,120.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rider University than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rider University students is 221.1% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($29,294 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Rider University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Rider University (1210).
• Incoming Rider University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Rider University 1100/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Rider University 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Rider University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Rider University (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 9.1% at Rider University.

Salisbury vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Rider University? 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 Rider University's (63%).
• Graduates from Rider University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,000 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $5,597 lower median loan debt than Rider University graduates ($20,153 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rider University graduates ($208 vs. $266).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.