TU vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

TU vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or Cedar Crest 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 Towson University than Cedar Crest College ($16,653 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 17.6% lower than at Towson University ($13,406 vs. $16,260).
• Cedar Crest College is 294.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $34,586 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.3% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Towson University (about $16,494 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cedar Crest College than at Towson University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 181.9% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($33,323 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or Cedar Crest 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 Cedar Crest College and TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cedar Crest College (1120) is 30 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• 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 Cedar Crest College (3.42).
• Cedar Crest College has a higher acceptance rate (84.1%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

TU vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and Cedar Crest 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Cedar Crest College's (50%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Cedar Crest College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($183 vs. $286).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cedar Crest College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.