McDaniel College vs. Dean College

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Dean College in Franklin, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Dean College is in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Dean College 15:1.

McDaniel College vs. Dean College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or Dean 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 Dean College ($24,497 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 34.7% lower than at Dean College ($12,974 vs. $19,864).
• McDaniel College is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dean College (about $5,555 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $46,526.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at McDaniel College than at Dean College (about $5,555 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $46,526.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College as at Dean College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 23.6% larger than aid received by Dean College students ($40,721 vs. $32,958).

McDaniel College vs. Dean College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McDaniel College or Dean College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Dean College and McDaniel College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Dean College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.76 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 8.7% at Dean College.

McDaniel College vs. Dean College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel College and Dean College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Dean College's (62%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $10,647 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($16,353 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($169 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 53%)

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.