Salisbury University
Salisbury University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Salisbury University at a Glance
Salisbury University is a public university in Salisbury, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1925, Salisbury University is a member of the University System of Maryland.
1925
101 years old
$82M
$82.15 million (2024)
6,056
425
200 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Salisbury University
Official admissions pageDECEMBER 1 (Early Decision)
Is Salisbury University Worth It?
Salisbury University offers moderate value at $17,743/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,515, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Salisbury University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 72 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #4 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #5 | Sonoma State University | 76 | $12,885 | $65,986 |
| #6 | Truman State University | 75 | $12,780 | $56,280 |
| #13 | Salisbury University | 59 | $17,743 | $61,515 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Salisbury University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MD.
Best Programs at Salisbury University
The highest-earning program at Salisbury University is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $70,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at $22,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from Salisbury University earns $70,500, while a Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduate earns $22,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $20,500 in median debt vs. $18,250 for Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,743/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $70,500 | $70,500 | $20,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,700 | $62,700 | $19,826 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,300 | $55,300 | $25,710 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,500 | $53,500 | $23,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,000 | $52,000 | $24,746 |
| Information Science/Studies | $51,400 | $51,400 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,300 | $45,300 | $20,399 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,400 | $43,400 | $21,500 |
| Mathematics | $43,100 | $43,100 | $21,500 |
| Marketing | $39,100 | $39,100 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,200 | $36,200 | $22,597 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,800 | $33,800 | $18,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,200 | $33,200 | $20,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $31,000 | $31,000 | $17,495 |
| Biology, General | $28,900 | $28,900 | $20,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,800 | $28,800 | $25,800 |
| Psychology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $19,142 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | $27,700 | $27,700 | $20,500 |
| Social Work | $27,600 | $27,600 | $22,243 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,500 | $26,500 | $20,000 |
| History | $26,200 | $26,200 | $23,250 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $21,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,400 | $22,400 | $21,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $22,100 | $22,100 | $18,250 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Salisbury, MD
- Student Body
- 6,057 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,743
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,515
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000