McDaniel College vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

McDaniel College is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

McDaniel College vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College than McDaniel College ($20,082 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 1.9% lower than at Ferrum College ($12,974 vs. $13,230).
• McDaniel College is 82.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferrum College (about $23,561 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.6% higher at McDaniel College than at Ferrum College (about $23,561 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Ferrum College students ($40,721 vs. $34,444).

McDaniel College vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McDaniel College or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College and McDaniel College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFerrum College 880/1100.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

McDaniel College vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel College and Ferrum 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 Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, McDaniel College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 49%)

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.