McDaniel College vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Plaza College 28:1.

McDaniel College vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or Plaza 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 Plaza College than McDaniel College ($19,860 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 16.3% lower than at Plaza College ($12,974 vs. $15,500).
• McDaniel College is 237.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plaza College (about $36,631 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 237.1% higher at McDaniel College than at Plaza College (about $36,631 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Plaza College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 511% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($40,721 vs. $6,665).

McDaniel College vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Plaza College - Test-free.
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 54.9% at Plaza College.

McDaniel College vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel College and Plaza 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).

• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $26,100 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $13,085 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($13,915 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($143 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 30%)

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.