Salisbury vs. UNCW

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina Wilmington is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (18,848 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); University of North Carolina Wilmington is in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; University of North Carolina Wilmington 17:1.

Salisbury vs. UNCW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or UNCW? 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 UNCW ($18,760 vs. $18,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 2.6% lower than at University of North Carolina Wilmington ($13,900 vs. $14,268).
• Salisbury University is 52.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCW (about $3,807 more per year; $11,084.00 vs. $7,277.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at UNCW than at Salisbury University (about $1,978 more per year; $24,152.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at University of North Carolina Wilmington (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 36.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina Wilmington students ($9,124 vs. $6,674).

Salisbury vs. UNCW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina Wilmington (1290) is 40 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming UNCW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; University of North Carolina Wilmington 1230/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; University of North Carolina Wilmington 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; UNCW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; UNCW Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at UNCW (3.56).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than UNCW (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 21% at UNCW.

Salisbury vs. UNCW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and UNCW? 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).

• The graduation rate at Salisbury is the same as at University of North Carolina Wilmington (67% vs. 67%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than UNCW graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $347 lower median loan debt than UNCW graduates ($20,153 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCW graduates ($208 vs. $211).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCW students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 64%)

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.