TU vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; La Roche University 11:1.

TU vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or LRC? 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 LRC ($16,653 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 17.7% lower than at Towson University ($13,390 vs. $16,260).
• La Roche University is 190.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $22,324 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at LRC than at Towson University (about $4,232 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Roche University than at Towson University (81% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 95.3% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($23,083 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. LRC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Towson University (1090) is 20 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming TU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 950/1235; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Towson University 19/27; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman TU students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at LRC (3.2).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 9.8% at LRC.

TU vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and LRC? 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.

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than La Roche University's (51%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than LRC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($17,750 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($183 vs. $268).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LRC 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.