Salisbury University vs St. Mary's College of Maryland: which has better ROI?
Salisbury University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,972 in 5.4 years versus 6.3 years at St. Mary's College of Maryland, on median earnings of $61,515 vs $60,110 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Salisbury University | St. Mary's College of Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,743 | $18,441 |
| Total net cost | $70,972 | $73,764 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,515 | $60,110 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $21,000 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $192,128 | $161,236 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Salisbury University or St. Mary's College of Maryland?
Salisbury University, at $17,743 a year after aid versus $18,441 — a gap of $698 a year, or $2,792 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Salisbury University or St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates earn more?
Salisbury University graduates report a median $61,515 ten years after entry, $1,405 more than the $60,110 at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Salisbury University or St. Mary's College of Maryland?
Completers at both borrow a median $21,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at St. Mary's College of Maryland, against 68% at Salisbury University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.