Salisbury vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than Roanoke College based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 1,804 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salisbury vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Roanoke 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 Roanoke College ($18,760 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 9.5% lower than at Roanoke College ($13,900 vs. $15,366).
• Roanoke College is 243.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $26,984 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.7% higher at Roanoke College than at Salisbury University (about $15,894 more per year; $38,068.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Roanoke College than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Roanoke College students is 208.9% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($28,188 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 50 points higher than at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Roanoke College (3.56).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Roanoke College (83.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Salisbury vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Roanoke 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).

• Roanoke College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $800 more per year than Roanoke College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,847 lower median loan debt than Roanoke College graduates ($20,153 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Roanoke College graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.