TU vs. DeSales University

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than DeSales University based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 2,972 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); DeSales University is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. DeSales University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; DeSales University 12:1.

TU vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or DeSales University? 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 DeSales University ($16,653 vs. $31,732).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 15.1% lower than at Towson University ($13,800 vs. $16,260).
• DeSales University is 299% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $35,072 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.9% higher at DeSales University than at Towson University (about $16,980 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DeSales University than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 161.5% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($30,909 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. DeSales University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or DeSales University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between DeSales University and TU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at DeSales University (1180) is 90 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming DeSales University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 950/1235; DeSales University 1090/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 19/27; DeSales University 27/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; DeSales University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; DeSales University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman TU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at DeSales University (3.39).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than DeSales University (77.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 16.7% at DeSales University.

TU vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and DeSales University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• DeSales University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Towson University's (64%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than DeSales University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than DeSales University graduates ($17,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DeSales University graduates ($183 vs. $268).
• More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.