Salisbury vs. VCU

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

Salisbury University
Virginia Commonwealth University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Salisbury (87.5% admitted vs 92.6%). Typical SAT 1250 vs 1140.
  • Cheaper after aid: Salisbury. Average net price is $18,760 vs $26,836 at VCU.
  • Graduation: Salisbury 67% vs VCU 53%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salisbury $52,000 vs VCU $47,500 (median).
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Key differences

Salisbury University Virginia Commonwealth University
Acceptance rate
Salisbury more selective
Salisbury87.5%
VCU92.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salisbury higher
Salisbury1180-1320
VCU1010-1270
Average net price
Salisbury $8,076 less
Salisbury$18,760
VCU$26,836
In-state tuition
Salisbury $5,861 less
Salisbury$11,084
VCU$16,945
Out-of-state tuition
Salisbury $17,935 less
Salisbury$22,174
VCU$40,109
Graduation rate
Salisbury +14 pts
Salisbury67%
VCU53%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salisbury +$4,500
Salisbury$52,000
VCU$47,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • VCU 20,954
  • Admitted
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • VCU 19,408
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • VCU 92.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • VCU 21.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salisbury 1250
  • VCU 1140
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salisbury 24
  • VCU 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • VCU 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salisbury A-
  • VCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • VCU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Salisbury
  • VCU
  • SAT range
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • VCU 1010-1270
  • ACT range
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • VCU 22-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • VCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • VCU Jan 18, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • VCU $16,945
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • VCU $40,109
  • Room & board
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • VCU $18,254
  • Average net price
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • VCU $26,836
  • Average grant aid
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • VCU $14,186
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salisbury 88%
  • VCU 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salisbury 67%
  • VCU 53%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • VCU $47,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salisbury 68%
  • VCU 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • VCU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Salisbury $208
  • VCU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • VCU 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • VCU
    • Business (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Location
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • VCU Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • VCU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • VCU 28,464
  • Type
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • VCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salisbury #352
  • VCU #465

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Salisbury based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 7,025 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 23.9% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($13,900 vs. $18,254).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 80.9% higher at VCU than at Salisbury University (about $17,935 more per year; $40,109 vs. $22,174).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University as at Virginia Commonwealth University (88% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 55.5% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($14,186 vs. $9,124).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at VCU than at Salisbury (26 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salisbury and VCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at VCU average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Salisbury (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $3,097 lower median loan debt than VCU graduates ($20,153 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($208 vs. $240).
  • More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 56%).

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

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