Salisbury University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Salisbury, Maryland · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Decision
- Early Action
- 8,793
- Applicants
- 7,761
- Admitted88%
- 1,441
- Enrolled
- 19%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access88% admittedRanked #45 (tie) in Regional Universities North; Business Programs #301 (tie), Computer Science #502 (tie), Nursing #336 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Salisbury University (see the source), read on 2026-09-24.
Is Salisbury University a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Salisbury University against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Salisbury University is a public university in Salisbury, Maryland that admits about 88% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $17,743 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Communication and Media Studies, Psychology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 61% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Salisbury University is a public institution located in Salisbury, Maryland. For the most recent reporting cycle, Salisbury University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 88%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1230. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,743 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Salisbury University?
52% of enrolled students at Salisbury University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.72, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does Salisbury University weight in admissions?
Salisbury University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Important
1- Standardized test scores
Considered
10- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered
5- Class rank
- First generation status
- Alumni/ae relation
- Geographical residence
- Religious affiliation/commitment
SAT and ACT scores Salisbury University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–650. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1190 |
| 50th percentile | 1230 |
| 75th percentile | 1300 |
| % submitting SAT | 10% |
| 25th percentile | 20 |
| 50th percentile | n/a |
| 75th percentile | 29 |
| % submitting ACT | 2% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Salisbury is test-optional for all first-year applicants (no GPA minimum since fall 2021); scores superscored if sent; not needed for merit aid.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Salisbury University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Salisbury University actually cost?
Published tuition is $11,084 for in-state students and $22,174 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,900 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,743 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 26% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $8,016 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,520 |
| Room and board | $14,190 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $17,743 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 61% |
| Average need-based grant | $12,762 |
| Average merit award, no financial need639 first-year students received one | $3,944 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 52% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $29,070 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Salisbury University
| Notification date | 10/15 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 15 |
| ED acceptance rate | 83% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | December 1 |
Will my child graduate from Salisbury University?
These predict outcomes at Salisbury University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Salisbury University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Salisbury University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Communication and Media Studies, Psychology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. Across all programs, Salisbury University confers roughly 952 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Communication and Media Studies program report a median income of about $54,349 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | 156 | $54,349 |
| Psychology, General | 148 | $52,655 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 145 | $62,669 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 135 | $55,101 |
| Social Work | 103 | $56,449 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 99 | $79,207 |
| Biology, General | 88 | $58,765 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 78 | $74,902 |
Is Salisbury University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Salisbury University disclosed 23 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 12 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Salisbury University?
About 51% of undergraduates at Salisbury University live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 7% of men join a fraternity and 7% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for Salisbury University
Common questions parents ask about Salisbury University
What GPA do I need for Salisbury University?
52% of enrolled students at Salisbury University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.72, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Salisbury University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–650. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–29.
How much does Salisbury University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Salisbury University after grants and scholarships is $17,743 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $11,084 and $22,174 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Salisbury University realistic for my child?
Salisbury University admits 88% of applicants, so 580–650 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $17,743 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Salisbury University?
Salisbury University accepts about 88% of applicants out of roughly 8,793 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Salisbury University test-optional?
Yes. Salisbury University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Salisbury University?
About 61% of students at Salisbury University graduate within six years, and 45% finish in four years. 79% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Salisbury University?
Salisbury University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 83%, compared with its overall rate of 88%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.
What does Salisbury University look for in applicants?
Salisbury University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Salisbury University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Salisbury University is a public institution located in Salisbury, Maryland.
What are the most popular majors at Salisbury University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Salisbury University by annual graduates are Communication and Media Studies, Psychology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. The school awards about 952 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Salisbury University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Salisbury University reported 23 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Salisbury University?
At Salisbury University, 51% of undergraduates live on campus, 7% of men are in fraternities, 7% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Salisbury University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers