Salisbury vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (17,171 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Salisbury vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or WCU? 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 WCU ($18,760 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 6.3% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($13,900 vs. $14,828).
• Salisbury University is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $309 more per year; $11,084.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at WCU than at Salisbury University (about $425 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (88% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 59.8% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($9,124 vs. $5,709).

Salisbury vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 60 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming WCU 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; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; WCU - 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 WCU (3.43).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Salisbury vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and WCU? 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $3,347 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,153 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($208 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.