Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Salisbury, Maryland
88.6% Acceptance Rate
Salisbury University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.6%Acceptance Rate
3.73Avg GPA
1250Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$26,134Annual Cost
$61,515Grad Salary
24.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.6%
Avg GPA
3.73
Avg SAT
1250
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1180–1310
ACT Middle 50%
26–28
Avg Net Price
$16,456
Need-Based Aid
24.1% receive Pell
Salisbury University is a public, regional comprehensive university in Maryland known for its commitment to academic excellence and student success. Admissions are selective, focusing on high school academic performance and the rigor of the curriculum. The university seeks students who are prepared to contribute to its dynamic and active campus culture, whether through research, arts, or community engagement.
Prospective students should highlight their potential for engagement, as Salisbury University values active learners. A strong application includes evidence of a consistent academic record and participation in school or community organizations that require collaboration. The admissions team favors students who are not only academically ready for college-level work but who are also motivated to use the university's support systems to advance their specific professional goals.
Salisbury University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Salisbury University is inclusive by design. 88.6% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 88.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.28
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Salisbury University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Salisbury University (Priority — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 83 days left — Priority
Priority
November 1
Regular Decision
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SU is 3.73. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.43 and 3.73? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.93–4.13.SU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.73 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.53 – 3.72
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.33 – 3.52
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.32
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Member of the Common Application; single application submission is sufficient (SU app or Common App, no preference); holistic review considers curriculum rigor, essay, recommendations, leadership, and community service.
- Test scores (SAT/ACT) are considered where submitted but are optional; the SAT/ACT Writing/Essay section is not part of admissions consideration.
- Does not consider criminal history in admissions decisions for undergraduate or graduate applicants (though certain post-admission programs may review it separately).
- Perdue School of Business requires a separate "Gate Application" for Professional Program admission (typically sophomore/early junior year): 9 of 11 pre-professional courses completed, 2.5+ pre-professional GPA, one-repeat-per-course limit, December 1 or May 1 deadlines.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Salisbury University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Salisbury University (SU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at SU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into SU Without SAT or ACT?
SU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Salisbury University Average SAT Score: 1250
Admitted students at Salisbury University average a 1250 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1250 — Slightly Competitive
A 1250 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1310 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Salisbury University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1180? A retake is worth it at SU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 610 | 580 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 635 | 600 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1250 | 1180 | 1310 |
A score under 1180 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1310+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into Salisbury University (SU) with a 1300 SAT?
At 1300, your SAT is squarely in SU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Salisbury University (SU) ACT Requirements
SU's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 23 | 27 |
| ACT English | 28 | 25 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 26 | 28 |
Can I get into Salisbury University with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of SU's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, SU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SU is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Submit one application only - SU explicitly has no preference between its own portal and Common App
Unlike schools where one application track carries a real or perceived advantage, Salisbury states directly that submitting both its own application and the Common App isn't necessary or beneficial - one is sufficient and neither is favored. Save time by picking whichever platform you're already using for other schools rather than assuming a "direct" application signals more interest.
Plan your Perdue School of Business admission as a distinct sophomore-year gate, not an automatic progression
Business majors (Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, etc.) start in a Pre-Professional Program and must separately apply to the Professional Program via a "Gate Application" - typically in sophomore year or first semester junior year - requiring completion of at least 9 of 11 pre-professional courses (5 specific ones mandatory) and a 2.5+ GPA in that pre-professional core. Accounting majors face a stricter bar: a "C" or better specifically in ACCT 201, 202, and 248. Track this as a second admission event with its own December 1 (winter/spring) or May 1 (fall) deadline, not a formality.
Know that repeated business courses only count once - plan your course-repeat strategy carefully
Salisbury caps students at one repeat attempt per business course (including any repeat attempted at another institution before transferring in) - exceed that and you become inadmissible to the Professional Program entirely, with no further appeal route described. If you're struggling in a pre-professional business course, seek tutoring or consider a withdrawal before a low grade rather than banking on a "third try" that isn't available.
Use SU's criminal history non-disclosure policy strategically if it applies to you
Salisbury explicitly does not consider criminal history in undergraduate or graduate admissions decisions - a genuinely distinctive policy compared to peer institutions that ask applicants to disclose this on the general application. This only shifts post-admission, when certain programs with their own criminal history requirements (e.g., some health or education fieldwork placements) may review records separately. If this applies to your situation, you can apply to SU itself without pre-emptively addressing it in your general application - but should still expect program-specific review later if your major requires it.
Expert Insight:
The recurring mistake at Salisbury is business-track students treating "acceptance to SU" as equivalent to "acceptance to the major." A student can be a fully enrolled Salisbury undergraduate in good standing and still be denied entry to the Perdue School's Professional Program if they miss the Gate Application deadline, fall short of the 2.5 pre-professional GPA, or exhaust their one-repeat allowance on a required course - effectively blocking their intended major mid-degree.
SU Profile
Full Name
Salisbury University (SU)
City
Salisbury
State
Maryland
ZIP Code
21801-6862
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a SU Degree Worth It?
Whether SU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $77,200, and graduates see a 2.75% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from SU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $26,134/year at SU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $16,456.
At SU, 24.1% receive a Pell Grant and 39.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming SU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a SU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, SU graduates report a median income of $61,515, about 52% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Salisbury University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Salisbury University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Salisbury University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
Degree Programs at SU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SU Admissions
Salisbury University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $61,515/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Salisbury University is relatively affordable, around $26,134/year.
24.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Salisbury University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Salisbury University's acceptance rate is 88.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Salisbury University students is 3.73, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.43 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Salisbury University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.33 or below makes admission tougher at Salisbury University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Salisbury University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1250, and within the 1180–1310 range, keeps you competitive.
Salisbury University's deadline is November 1 (Priority).
Salisbury University charges an application fee of 50; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's Salisbury University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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