Salisbury vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Salisbury vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or VCU? 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 VCU ($18,760 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 23.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,900 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $5,861 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.9% higher at VCU than at Salisbury University (about $17,935 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University as at Virginia Commonwealth University (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 55.5% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($14,186 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 110 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming VCU 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; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Salisbury (3.73).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Salisbury vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and VCU? 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 Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $3,097 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($20,153 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($208 vs. $240).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 56%)

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.