Understanding the Cost of Attendance at Salisbury University
Choosing a university is a significant investment, and understanding the true cost is crucial for prospective students and their families. Salisbury University (SU) presents a comprehensive breakdown of expenses to help students plan their finances. This article delves into the various components of the cost of attendance at Salisbury University, including tuition, fees, and other expenses, as well as financial aid options.
Decoding the Cost of Attendance
The official cost of attendance, also known as the student budget, comprises both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are those billed directly by the university, such as tuition and fees, and room and board if living on campus. Indirect expenses include estimates for books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
Estimated Costs for 2025-2026
The figures provided below are ESTIMATED 2025-2026 costs per year.
Undergraduate Students
These costs are for full-time (12+ credits per semester), on-campus, undergraduate students. It's important to note that a student attending less than 12 credits per semester will have a lower cost of attendance and may be eligible for less financial aid than a full-time student.
Graduate Students
These costs are for graduate students enrolled in 9 credit hours for Fall and Spring semesters. A student who is attending less than 9 credits per semester (Master’s program) or 5 credits per semester (Doctoral program) may have a lower cost of attendance and may be eligible for less financial aid than a full-time student.
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Tuition and Fees: In-State vs. Out-of-State
The stated tuition for out-of-state students at Salisbury University is $19526 while in-state students pay $9824. This is what you pay to attend classes at Salisbury. It is important to remember that the annual charge of $19526 or $9824 often excludes dozens of other miscellaneous expenses, such as housing, textbooks, meals, fees and more.
Additional Expenses
Beyond tuition, students should budget for:
- Room and Board: The cost of rooming and dorms at Salisbury is $6680. The cost of meals at Salisbury is $4800.
- Books and Supplies:
- Personal Expenses:
- Transportation:
Net Price vs. Sticker Price
That expensive sticker price can be extremely misleading and does not usually represent the true cost of Salisbury. The "sticker" price is the advertised cost of attendance before any financial aid is applied. The net price, on the other hand, reflects the actual out-of-pocket expense to attend SU after removing grants, scholarships, and other educational benefits from the "sticker" price. We encourage all prospective students and their families to evaluate SU's net price.
Net Price Calculator
SU’s net price calculator asks you questions about your family’s finances and may also ask you questions about your GPA, test scores, activities and other things that may qualify you for financial aid. It uses your answers to figure out how much money in grants and scholarships may award to you.
Projected Net Price
This year at Salisbury University, we project that on average students will pay $20,336, while the advertised price of attendance is $31,060. That’s a difference of $10,723.
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Historical Net Prices
Prices at Salisbury University over time:
| Year | Net in-state price at Salisbury University | In-state sticker price at Salisbury University | Out-of-state sticker price at Salisbury University |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-26 | $20,336 | $31,060 | $42,246 |
| 24-25 | $19,829 | $30,285 | $41,223 |
| 23-24 | $19,335 | $29,530 | $40,224 |
| 22-23 | $17,931 | $27,386 | $37,862 |
| 21-22 | $19,756 | $26,688 | $36,958 |
| 20-21 | $18,885 | $26,304 | $36,370 |
| 19-20 | $18,599 | $26,404 | $36,470 |
| 18-19 | $19,271 | $25,774 | $35,476 |
| 17-18 | $18,163 | $25,062 | $34,102 |
| 16-17 | $18,374 | $24,714 | $33,126 |
| 15-16 | $17,678 | $24,096 | $32,442 |
| 14-15 | $17,495 | $23,180 | $31,526 |
| 13-14 | $16,683 | $22,368 | $30,714 |
Net Price by Income Bracket
How much a student actually pays usually depends, at least in part, on their family's household income. At Salisbury University this year, we project students with incomes over $110K will pay around $26,867, while students with incomes below $30K will pay around $8,337. That's a difference of $18,530.
| Income bracket | Projected net price at Salisbury University |
|---|---|
| <$30K | $8,337 |
| $30K-$48K | $14,493 |
| $48K-$75K | $16,903 |
| $75K-$110K | $23,073 |
| >$110K | $26,867 |
Financial Aid Opportunities
Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA. Financial aid can significantly reduce the cost of attendance.
Types of Financial Aid
- Grants: Grants don’t need to be paid back.
- Scholarships: Scholarships don’t need to be paid back.
- Loans: Loans must be paid back.
- Work-study:
Financial Aid Statistics
- Students Receiving Financial Aid: 51.56%
- Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 94.27%
- Average Aid Packages Awarded: $12,990
- Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: $10,569
- Need-Based Loan Amount: $4,003
Important Dates
- Financial Aid Application Due: Mar 1 The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.
- Notification Date: Feb 21 When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.
Applying for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, students typically need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Salisbury University's Financial Aid Office can provide guidance and support throughout the application process.
Affording Salisbury: Is it Worth the Investment?
Beyond the years you plan on spending at Salisbury University, the financial repercussions of Salisbury tuition will stay with you for awhile, especially if you take out loans to finance the education. The median debt for students who have completed a degree at Salisbury is $20500.0.
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Future Earnings
I think it’s particularly interesting to look at the salary 10 years after graduation, and it’s probably more indicative of whether Salisbury is worth the cost. The future earnings potential is going to be much higher if you go to Salisbury compared to not attending college at all.
Graduation and Retention Rates
A school’s graduation rate can indicate how likely a student is to complete their degree. At Salisbury University, over the last five years 69% of students earned their bachelor’s degree within six years of enrolling. Over the last five years, at Salisbury University, about 79% of full-time students returned the following fall to continue their degree.
- Overall Grad Rate: 69%
- Full-time students retention: 79%
Graduation Rates by Demographic
Students from different demographic backgrounds often graduate at different rates, so it can be helpful to look beyond the overall graduation rate.
| Demographic category | Graduation rate at Salisbury University | National average |
|---|---|---|
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 53% | 31% |
| Asian | 65% | 45% |
| Black | 62% | 34% |
| Hispanic | 60% | 41% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander | 67% | 28% |
| White | 72% | 50% |
| Multiple races | 57% | 37% |
| Unknown race | 70% | 37% |
Paying for Salisbury: Payment Plans and Strategies
Unless you are receiving a “full ride” (e.g. full scholarship) to attend Salisbury, though, it won’t be free.
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