Salisbury vs. WVSU

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

Salisbury University
West Virginia State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Salisbury (87.5% admitted vs 96%). Typical SAT 1250 vs 900.
  • Cheaper after aid: WVSU. Average net price is $11,055 vs $18,760 at Salisbury.
  • Graduation: Salisbury 67% vs WVSU 25%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Salisbury $52,000 vs WVSU $32,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Salisbury University West Virginia State University
Acceptance rate
Salisbury more selective
Salisbury87.5%
WVSU96%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Salisbury higher
Salisbury1180-1320
WVSU760-1040
Average net price
WVSU $7,705 less
Salisbury$18,760
WVSU$11,055
In-state tuition
WVSU $1,514 less
Salisbury$11,084
WVSU$9,570
Out-of-state tuition
WVSU $7,184 less
Salisbury$22,174
WVSU$14,990
Graduation rate
Salisbury +42 pts
Salisbury67%
WVSU25%
Median earnings (10 years)
Salisbury +$19,300
Salisbury$52,000
WVSU$32,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Salisbury and WVSU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Salisbury Check my chances at WVSU
  • Applied
  • Salisbury 8,845
  • WVSU 6,163
  • Admitted
  • Salisbury 7,737
  • WVSU 5,914
  • Acceptance rate
  • Salisbury 87.5%
  • WVSU 96%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Salisbury 18.4%
  • WVSU 5.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Salisbury 1250
  • WVSU 900
  • Typical ACT score
  • Salisbury 24
  • WVSU 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • Salisbury 3.73
  • WVSU 3.24
  • Typical high school grades
  • Salisbury A-
  • WVSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Salisbury Challenging
  • WVSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Salisbury
  • WVSU
  • SAT range
  • Salisbury 1180-1320
  • WVSU 760-1040
  • ACT range
  • Salisbury 20-29
  • WVSU 15-20
  • Submit test scores
  • Salisbury Test optional
  • WVSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Salisbury Jan 15, 2027
  • WVSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Salisbury $11,084
  • WVSU $9,570
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Salisbury $22,174
  • WVSU $14,990
  • Room & board
  • Salisbury $13,900
  • WVSU $13,522
  • Average net price
  • Salisbury $18,760
  • WVSU $11,055
  • Average grant aid
  • Salisbury $9,124
  • WVSU $8,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Salisbury 88%
  • WVSU 88%
  • Graduation rate
  • Salisbury 67%
  • WVSU 25%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Salisbury $52,000
  • WVSU $32,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Salisbury 68%
  • WVSU 35%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Salisbury $20,153
  • WVSU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Salisbury $208
  • WVSU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Salisbury 14:1
  • WVSU 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • Salisbury
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • WVSU
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (23%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Salisbury Salisbury, MD
  • WVSU Institute, WV
  • Setting
  • Salisbury Small Suburban
  • WVSU Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Salisbury 7,025
  • WVSU 3,246
  • Type
  • Salisbury Public 4 Year
  • WVSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Salisbury #352
  • WVSU #1010

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Salisbury University is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 3,246 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia State University are 2.7% lower than at Salisbury University ($13,522 vs. $13,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at Salisbury than at West Virginia State University (about $7,184 more per year; $22,174 vs. $14,990).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Salisbury University as at West Virginia State University (88% vs. 88%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salisbury University students is 1.5% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($9,124 vs. $8,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Salisbury than at WVSU (24 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Salisbury and WVSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Salisbury average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.49 higher than at WVSU (3.24).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $3,097 lower median loan debt than WVSU graduates ($20,153 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($208 vs. $240).
  • More Salisbury graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation (68% vs. 35%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Salisbury University
West Virginia State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges