Salisbury vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salisbury University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Salisbury vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Salisbury ($18,211 vs. $18,760).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 15.4% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($13,900 vs. $16,436).
• Salisbury University is 23.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $2,131 more per year; $11,084.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Salisbury than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $2,971 more per year; $22,174.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at SUNY at Purchase College (88% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($10,432 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 30 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Salisbury vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Purchase 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $2,347 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($20,153 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($208 vs. $232).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 65%)

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.