Salisbury vs. TU

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

Salisbury University
Towson University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: TU (82% admitted vs 87.5%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: TU. Average net price is $16,653 vs $18,760 at Salisbury.
  • Graduation: Salisbury 67% vs TU 64%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salisbury $52,000 vs TU $53,500 (median).
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Key differences

Salisbury University Towson University
Acceptance rate
TU more selective
Salisbury87.5%
TU82%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salisbury higher
Salisbury1180-1320
TU950-1235
Average net price
TU $2,107 less
Salisbury$18,760
TU$16,653
In-state tuition
Salisbury $644 less
Salisbury$11,084
TU$11,728
Out-of-state tuition
Salisbury $7,646 less
Salisbury$22,174
TU$29,820
Graduation rate
Salisbury +3 pts
Salisbury67%
TU64%
Median earnings (10 years)
TU +$1,500
Salisbury$52,000
TU$53,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • TU 19,777
  • Admitted
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • TU 16,212
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • TU 82%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • TU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salisbury 1250
  • TU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salisbury 24
  • TU 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • TU 3.69
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salisbury A-
  • TU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • TU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Salisbury
  • TU
  • SAT range
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • TU 950-1235
  • ACT range
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • TU 19-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • TU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • TU Apr 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • TU $11,728
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • TU $29,820
  • Room & board
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • TU $16,260
  • Average net price
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • TU $16,653
  • Average grant aid
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • TU $11,820
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salisbury 88%
  • TU 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salisbury 67%
  • TU 64%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • TU $53,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salisbury 68%
  • TU 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • TU $17,750
  • Median loan payment
  • Salisbury $208
  • TU $183
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • TU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • TU
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • Location
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • TU Towson, MD
  • Setting
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • TU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • TU 19,401
  • Type
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • TU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salisbury #352
  • TU #396

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 7,025 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 14.5% lower than at Towson University ($13,900 vs. $16,260).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at TU than at Salisbury University (about $7,646 more per year; $29,820 vs. $22,174).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University than at Towson University (88% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 29.5% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($11,820 vs. $9,124).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Salisbury than at TU (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salisbury and TU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; TU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salisbury average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at TU (3.69).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 18.2% at TU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $2,403 lower median loan debt than Salisbury graduates ($17,750 vs. $20,153).
  • Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salisbury graduates ($183 vs. $208).
  • More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation (69% 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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