Salisbury vs. JMU

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

Salisbury University
James Madison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: JMU (71.5% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $18,760 at Salisbury vs $18,856 at JMU. JMU in-state tuition is about $3,166 more per year.
  • Graduation: Salisbury 67% vs JMU 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salisbury $52,000 vs JMU $60,300 (median).
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Key differences

Salisbury University James Madison University
Acceptance rate
JMU more selective
Salisbury87.5%
JMU71.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
JMU higher
Salisbury1180-1320
JMU1170-1340
Average net price
About even
Salisbury$18,760
JMU$18,856
In-state tuition
Salisbury $3,166 less
Salisbury$11,084
JMU$14,250
Out-of-state tuition
Salisbury $9,430 less
Salisbury$22,174
JMU$31,604
Graduation rate
JMU +14 pts
Salisbury67%
JMU81%
Median earnings (10 years)
JMU +$8,300
Salisbury$52,000
JMU$60,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • JMU 38,428
  • Admitted
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • JMU 27,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • JMU 71.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • JMU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salisbury 1250
  • JMU 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salisbury 24
  • JMU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • JMU 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salisbury A-
  • JMU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • JMU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Salisbury
  • JMU Low
  • SAT range
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • JMU 1170-1340
  • ACT range
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • JMU 24-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • JMU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • JMU Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • JMU $14,250
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • JMU $31,604
  • Room & board
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • JMU $13,056
  • Average net price
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • JMU $18,856
  • Average grant aid
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • JMU $12,114
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salisbury 88%
  • JMU 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salisbury 67%
  • JMU 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • JMU $60,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salisbury 68%
  • JMU 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • JMU $20,899
  • Median loan payment
  • Salisbury $208
  • JMU $216
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • JMU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • JMU
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • JMU Harrisonburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • JMU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • JMU 22,740
  • Type
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • JMU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salisbury #352
  • JMU #246

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

James Madison University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (22,740 students vs. 7,025 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); James Madison University is in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. James Madison University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; James Madison University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at James Madison University are 6.1% lower than at Salisbury University ($13,056 vs. $13,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42.5% higher at JMU than at Salisbury University (about $9,430 more per year; $31,604 vs. $22,174).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at James Madison University (88% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by James Madison University students is 32.8% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($12,114 vs. $9,124).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at JMU than at Salisbury (26 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salisbury and JMU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; JMU Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salisbury average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at JMU (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 18.2% at JMU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $746 lower median loan debt than JMU graduates ($20,153 vs. $20,899).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JMU graduates ($208 vs. $216).
  • More JMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation (83% 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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