Salisbury vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Dakota is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (10,619 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Salisbury vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or USD? 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 USD ($18,760 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 25.5% lower than at Salisbury University ($10,356 vs. $13,900).
• Salisbury University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,652 more per year; $11,084.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.3% higher at Salisbury than at University of South Dakota (about $9,232 more per year; $22,174.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at University of South Dakota (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 62.3% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($9,124 vs. $5,623).

Salisbury vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 30 points higher than at USD (1220).
• Incoming Salisbury students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 24.1% at USD.

Salisbury vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and USD? 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 University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $48,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $4,847 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($20,153 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($208 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.