Salisbury vs. Elon

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

Salisbury University
Elon University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Elon (66.3% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1210 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salisbury. Average net price is $18,760 vs $44,440 at Elon.
  • Graduation: Salisbury 67% vs Elon 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salisbury $52,000 vs Elon $56,200 (median).
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Key differences

Salisbury University Elon University
Acceptance rate
Elon more selective
Salisbury87.5%
Elon66.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salisbury higher
Salisbury1180-1320
Elon1130-1280
Average net price
Salisbury $25,680 less
Salisbury$18,760
Elon$44,440
In-state tuition
Salisbury $35,874 less
Salisbury$11,084
Elon$46,958
Out-of-state tuition
Salisbury $24,784 less
Salisbury$22,174
Elon$46,958
Graduation rate
Elon +15 pts
Salisbury67%
Elon82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Elon +$4,200
Salisbury$52,000
Elon$56,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • Elon 18,105
  • Admitted
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • Elon 12,012
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • Elon 66.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • Elon 13.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salisbury 1250
  • Elon 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salisbury 24
  • Elon 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • Elon 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salisbury A-
  • Elon A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • Elon Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Salisbury
  • Elon Low
  • SAT range
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • Elon 1130-1280
  • ACT range
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • Elon 23-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • Elon Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • Elon $46,958
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • Elon $46,958
  • Room & board
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • Elon $14,985
  • Average net price
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • Elon $44,440
  • Average grant aid
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • Elon $17,867
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salisbury 88%
  • Elon 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salisbury 67%
  • Elon 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • Elon $56,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salisbury 68%
  • Elon 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • Elon $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Salisbury $208
  • Elon $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • Elon 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • Setting
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • Elon 7,239
  • Type
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salisbury #352
  • Elon #140

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 7,025 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Elon University is in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting).
  • Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Elon University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 7.2% lower than at Elon University ($13,900 vs. $14,985).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 111.8% higher at Elon than at Salisbury University (about $24,784 more per year; $46,958 vs. $22,174).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Elon University (88% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elon University students is 95.8% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($17,867 vs. $9,124).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Elon than at Salisbury (25 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salisbury and Elon.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salisbury average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Elon (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $3,097 lower median loan debt than Elon graduates ($20,153 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elon graduates ($208 vs. $240).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 68%).

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

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