AU vs. Salisbury

American University and Salisbury University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Salisbury University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: AU (62% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salisbury. Average net price is $18,760 vs $39,676 at AU.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Salisbury 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Salisbury $52,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

American University Salisbury University
Acceptance rate
AU more selective
AU62%
Salisbury87.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1280-1460
Salisbury1180-1320
Average net price
Salisbury $20,916 less
AU$39,676
Salisbury$18,760
In-state tuition
Salisbury $47,687 less
AU$58,771
Salisbury$11,084
Out-of-state tuition
Salisbury $36,597 less
AU$58,771
Salisbury$22,174
Graduation rate
AU +10 pts
AU77%
Salisbury67%
Median earnings (10 years)
AU +$12,800
AU$64,800
Salisbury$52,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at AU and Salisbury with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at AU Check my chances at Salisbury
  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Salisbury 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Salisbury 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Salisbury A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Salisbury
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Salisbury 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Salisbury 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Salisbury 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Salisbury $208
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Salisbury #352

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 7,025 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Salisbury University is in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Salisbury University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 22.7% lower than at American University ($13,900 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 165% higher at AU than at Salisbury University (about $36,597 more per year; $58,771 vs. $22,174).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at American University (88% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 298.4% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($36,349 vs. $9,124).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at AU than at Salisbury (30 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Salisbury.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salisbury average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 18.4% at Salisbury.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $4,097 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($20,153 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($208 vs. $250).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 68%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

American University
Salisbury University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges