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Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

6,056
Total Students
$11K
Tuition (In-State)
$21K
Tuition (Out-State)
$16K
Avg Net Price
89%
Acceptance Rate
67%
Graduation Rate
6-year
80%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Salisbury University

Salisbury University: Empowering futures through dynamic academics and real-world impact.

Step into the vibrant world of Salisbury University, a rapidly growing institution on Maryland's Eastern Shore dedicated to empowering students through innovative academics and profound community engagement. What began in 1930 as the Maryland State Normal School, training elementary teachers to address a state-wide shortage, has blossomed into a comprehensive university renowned for its hands-on learning, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to student success. From its humble beginnings with 105 students, Salisbury has consistently evolved, adapting its curriculum and expanding its offerings to meet the needs of a changing world, culminating in its current identity as Salisbury University in 2001.

Today, Salisbury University offers a rich array of academic programs across its six distinct schools, including the Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Henson School of Science and Technology, Perdue School of Business, Seidel School of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and the prestigious Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College. Prospective students will discover a challenging yet supportive environment, with popular majors spanning biology, business administration, kinesiology, and psychology. The highly selective nursing program, the nationally recognized M.S. in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Management, and the award-winning creative writing program underscore the university's commitment to academic excellence and preparing students for in-demand careers.

Beyond the classroom, Salisbury University fosters a dynamic student experience rich with opportunities for real-world impact. Students manage a multi-million dollar investment fund, compete in nationally recognized entrepreneurship challenges with significant prize pools, and engage in vital community outreach through initiatives like the Business, Economic, and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) and the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE). With continuous growth in facilities, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and recent plans for a new $100 million downtown performing arts complex, Salisbury University is an exciting place for students to learn, innovate, and make a tangible difference.

Key Highlights

  • Home to the nation's second longest-running student entrepreneurship competition with an annual prize pool of $100,000.
  • The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery offers $200,000 annually, generating $100 million in estimated profits and nearly 700 jobs.
  • Student-managed Sea Gull Fund (valued over $2 million) has consistently outperformed the S&P average since 2001.
  • SU's M.S. in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Management earned the American Association of Geographers 2022 Program Excellence Award.
  • Henson School faculty and students have received over $7 million in grant funding from the National Science Foundation.
  • The Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution is designated as a United Nations University Regional Centre for Expertise Salisbury.
  • A new $100 million performing arts complex, featuring a 1,000-seat theatre, is planned for construction downtown by 2029.

Timeline

1930
Opened as the Maryland State Normal School.
1934
Required course of study extended to four years.
1935
Name changed to Maryland State Teachers College.
1963
Name changed to Salisbury State College.
1981
The Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program was established.
1988
Name changed to Salisbury State University.
2001
Name changed to Salisbury University.
2016
The Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College was created.
2022
Carolyn Ringer Lepre began her term as the 10th president of Salisbury University.
2024
Announced plans for a new $100 million performing arts complex downtown.

Schools & Colleges

6 notable schools within Salisbury University

🎭

Fulton School of Liberal Arts

Home to award-winning creative writing programs, the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution (a UN-designated center), and the longest-standing international journal devoted to literature adaptation to film, Lit/Film Quarterly.

🔬

Henson School of Science and Technology

Features a high-performance computing lab, the REAL Robotics Lab, and a nationally recognized M.S. in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Management program.

💼

Perdue School of Business

Hosts the nation's second longest-running student entrepreneurship competition, the Shore Hatchery competition, a student-managed investment portfolio (Sea Gull Fund), and the Mid-Atlantic Sales and Marketing Institute (MASMI).

📚

Seidel School of Education

One of the university's core academic units, continuing the institution's historical mission of training educators.

🏫

College of Health and Human Services

An academic unit offering programs in crucial health and human service fields, including a well-known and selective nursing program.

🏫

Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College

Established in 2016 and endowed in 2020, its publication 'The Saunterer' has been named the No. 1 honors print newsletter in the U.S. multiple times.

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