Salisbury vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Salisbury vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Jefferson? 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 Jefferson ($18,760 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 12.2% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($13,900 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 328.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $36,421 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.2% higher at Jefferson than at Salisbury University (about $25,331 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 283.7% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($35,007 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is the same as at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming Jefferson 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; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have the same average high school GPA (3.73) as students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Jefferson (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Salisbury vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Jefferson? 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).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $70,900 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $7,653 lower median loan debt than Salisbury graduates ($12,500 vs. $20,153).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salisbury graduates ($129 vs. $208).
• More Jefferson 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.