Salisbury vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 7,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Salisbury vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Salisbury ($15,522 vs. $18,760).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 3% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,900 vs. $14,332).
• Salisbury University is 26% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $2,285 more per year; $11,084.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.1% higher at NC State than at Salisbury University (about $10,673 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (88% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 28% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($11,675 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 140 points higher than at Salisbury (1250).
• Incoming NC State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Salisbury (3.73).
• Salisbury has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Salisbury vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and NC State? 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Salisbury University's (67%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $629 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($20,153 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($208 vs. $214).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.