Salisbury vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

Compare Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD with Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salisbury University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (7,025 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, MD (Small Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Salisbury University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salisbury University 14:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Salisbury vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salisbury or Wilkes? 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 Salisbury University than Wilkes ($18,760 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salisbury University are 14% lower than at Wilkes University ($13,900 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 292.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salisbury (about $32,412 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $11,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.2% higher at Wilkes than at Salisbury University (about $21,322 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $22,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Salisbury University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 210.4% larger than aid received by Salisbury University students ($28,324 vs. $9,124).

Salisbury vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Salisbury University (1250) is 110 points higher than at Wilkes (1140).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Salisbury).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 1180/1320; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salisbury University 20/29; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salisbury - Test optional; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salisbury Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Salisbury students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Wilkes (3.56).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Salisbury (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Salisbury vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Salisbury vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salisbury and Wilkes? 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).

• Salisbury University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Wilkes University's (58%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Salisbury graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salisbury University graduates have a $5,847 lower median loan debt than Wilkes graduates ($20,153 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Salisbury graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($208 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salisbury students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.