TU vs. Fitchburg State

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Fitchburg State University is in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Fitchburg State University 11:1.

TU vs. Fitchburg State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University than TU ($15,340 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 5% lower than at Towson University ($15,452 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $382 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.1% higher at TU than at Fitchburg State University (about $12,394 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fitchburg State University than at Towson University (92% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($11,820 vs. $11,539).

TU vs. Fitchburg State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 60 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Fitchburg State University 1060/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Fitchburg State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 13.5% at Fitchburg State.

TU vs. Fitchburg State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and Fitchburg State? 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 Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $4,935 lower median loan debt than Fitchburg State graduates ($17,750 vs. $22,685).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fitchburg State graduates ($183 vs. $234).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fitchburg State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.