Salisbury vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salisbury University is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Salisbury vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than Salisbury ($11,055 vs. $18,760).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia State University are 2.7% lower than at Salisbury University ($13,522 vs. $13,900).
• Salisbury University is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $1,514 more per year; $11,084.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at Salisbury than at West Virginia State University (about $7,184 more per year; $22,174.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University as at West Virginia State University (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 1.5% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($9,124 vs. $8,993).

Salisbury vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 350 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Incoming Salisbury students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at WVSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; WVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Salisbury vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Salisbury University earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $3,097 lower median loan debt than WVSU graduates ($20,153 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($208 vs. $240).
• More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 35%)

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.