TU vs. Cleveland Institute of Art

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 545 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Cleveland Institute of Art is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Cleveland Institute of Art 9:1.

TU vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art ($16,653 vs. $30,837).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland Institute of Art are 21% lower than at Towson University ($12,850 vs. $16,260).
• Cleveland Institute of Art is 321.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $37,672 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.7% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than at Towson University (about $19,580 more per year; $49,400.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Art than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 186.4% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($33,857 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art and TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland Institute of Art (1130) is 40 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Cleveland Institute of Art 980/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Cleveland Institute of Art 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Cleveland Institute of Art - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Cleveland Institute of Art (3.48).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (61.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 19.8% at Cleveland Institute of Art.

TU vs. Cleveland Institute of Art Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and Cleveland Institute of Art? 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 Cleveland Institute of Art's (58%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $11,250 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($17,750 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates ($183 vs. $299).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland Institute of Art students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.