Salisbury vs. TU

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Salisbury vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or TU? 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 Towson University than Salisbury ($16,653 vs. $18,760).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 14.5% lower than at Towson University ($13,900 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $644 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at TU than at Salisbury University (about $7,646 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Towson University (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 29.5% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($11,820 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. TU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 160 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming Salisbury students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at TU (3.69).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 18.2% at TU.

Salisbury vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and TU? 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 Towson University's (64%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $2,403 lower median loan debt than Salisbury graduates ($17,750 vs. $20,153).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salisbury graduates ($183 vs. $208).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.