Salisbury vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Salisbury University is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Salisbury vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or VWC? 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 VWC ($18,760 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 14.2% lower than at Salisbury University ($11,930 vs. $13,900).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 238.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $26,416 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.1% higher at VWC than at Salisbury University (about $15,326 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 228% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($29,923 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is the same as at VWC (1250).
• Incoming VWC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at VWC (3.39).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Salisbury vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and VWC? 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 Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $6,847 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($20,153 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 57%)

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.