The Catholic University of America vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with McDaniel College in Westminster, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 2,868 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); McDaniel College is in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; McDaniel College 13:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or McDaniel College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McDaniel College than The Catholic University of America ($24,497 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 28.7% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($12,974 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than McDaniel College (about $6,297 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $52,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at The Catholic University of America than at McDaniel College (about $6,297 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $52,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at The Catholic University of America (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 4.8% larger than aid received by McDaniel College students ($42,657 vs. $40,721).

The Catholic University of America vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or McDaniel College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between McDaniel College and The Catholic University of America.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at The Catholic University of America (3.52).
• The Catholic University of America has a higher acceptance rate (82.8%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 13.7% at McDaniel College.

The Catholic University of America vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and McDaniel College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than The Catholic University of America's (68%).
• Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than McDaniel College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $894 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($26,106 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($269 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The Catholic University of America students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.