TU vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

TU vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or Arcadia? 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 Towson University than Arcadia ($16,653 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Towson University are 5.4% lower than at Arcadia University ($16,260 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 323% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $37,882 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at Arcadia than at Towson University (about $19,790 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arcadia University than at Towson University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 193.6% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($34,705 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 80 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Arcadia (3.42).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

TU vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and Arcadia? 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Arcadia University's (62%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than Arcadia graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($183 vs. $279).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arcadia students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 69%)

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.