Salisbury University maintains open access admission, accepting 88.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This acceptance rate places the institution in the Open Access category, making it significantly more accessible than highly selective universities. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates Salisbury University accepts slightly more applicants than typical regional public institutions, though the difference is modest at 4 percentage points. This level of accessibility means qualified students have strong chances of admission, though the institution maintains meaningful academic standards through its admitted student profile. Students should view Salisbury University as an accessible option that does not require the extensive backup planning needed for highly selective institutions. The combination of open access admission with strong academic preparation among enrolled students suggests the university attracts students who could succeed at more competitive institutions but value the certainty and community of Salisbury University. Prospective students should focus on demonstrating genuine interest and academic preparation rather than worrying about admission competition. For students building college lists, Salisbury University serves as a reliable option that combines accessibility with solid outcomes, making it suitable as either a target or safety school depending on individual academic profiles.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Salisbury University demonstrate strong academic preparation, with SAT scores ranging from 1180 to 1310 and a median of 1250. The middle 50% of enrolled students fall within this range, meaning students scoring above 1310 are in the top quarter of the incoming class, while those scoring below 1180 represent the bottom quarter. SAT Math scores typically range from 580 to 640, while SAT Verbal scores span 600 to 670, showing balanced preparation across both sections. ACT scores range from 26 to 28, with most admitted students falling in this band. Compared to the peer median SAT score of 1090, Salisbury University's admitted students score 160 points higher, indicating significantly stronger academic preparation than typical regional public institutions. This 160-point difference represents more than one standard deviation above peer institutions, suggesting Salisbury University attracts academically motivated students despite its open access admission policy. Students scoring within the 1180-1310 range should feel confident about their academic competitiveness for admission. Those scoring below 1180 should not be discouraged, as these students still gain admission and can succeed, though they may benefit from additional academic support during their first year. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with this range when assessing institutional fit and academic challenge level. The strong test score profile indicates serious academic expectations despite accessible admission.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Salisbury University enrolls a moderately diverse student body across economic and educational backgrounds. The institution serves 24.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating nearly one-quarter of enrolled students come from families with annual incomes typically below $60,000. First-generation students comprise 29.2% of enrollment, meaning nearly three in ten students are the first in their families to attend college. Transfer students represent 27.6% of enrollment, showing significant pathway options for students beginning their college careers elsewhere. This composition reflects a student body that combines traditional college-bound students with those from diverse backgrounds seeking educational mobility. The relatively modest Pell share compared to community colleges or regional access-focused institutions suggests Salisbury University serves middle-class and upper-middle-class students alongside those from lower-income backgrounds. The substantial first-generation enrollment indicates the institution successfully attracts students breaking new educational ground for their families. Students from lower-income families should note that 24.1% of their peers will share similar financial backgrounds, providing community and understanding. First-generation students can expect to find substantial peer support, with nearly one-third of classmates navigating college as family pioneers. Transfer students will find significant representation, with more than one-quarter of students having begun their college experience elsewhere, creating mature student communities and transfer-friendly policies.
Given Salisbury University's 88.6% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students should view admission as likely rather than uncertain. However, students seeking similar outcomes or different environments have several strong alternatives worth considering.
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Students who enroll at Salisbury University demonstrate solid persistence and completion outcomes. The 80.3% retention rate indicates that four in five freshmen return for sophomore year, comparing favorably to the peer median retention rate of 73.2%. This 7.1 percentage point advantage suggests stronger student support systems and institutional engagement than typical regional public universities. The 67.5% completion rate shows that approximately two-thirds of students graduate within six years, substantially exceeding the peer median completion rate of 49.3% by 18.2 percentage points. Pell-eligible students graduate at 66.8%, creating only a 0.7 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This minimal gap indicates exceptionally strong support for lower-income students, suggesting effective financial aid, academic support, and retention programming. Students who gain admission should expect an environment that supports degree completion across economic backgrounds. The small Pell completion gap particularly indicates that lower-income students succeed at nearly identical rates to their peers, suggesting robust institutional support systems. Prospective students can view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the academic and social environment they will experience. The significantly higher completion rate compared to peer institutions suggests students receive stronger support for navigating academic challenges and completing their degrees successfully.
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