TU vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with McDaniel College in Westminster, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 2,868 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); McDaniel College is in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; McDaniel College 13:1.

TU vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or McDaniel 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 McDaniel College ($16,653 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 20.2% lower than at Towson University ($12,974 vs. $16,260).
• McDaniel College is 344.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $40,353 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.7% higher at McDaniel College than at Towson University (about $22,261 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 244.5% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($40,721 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at McDaniel College (3.64).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 13.7% at McDaniel College.

TU vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Towson University's (64%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $100 more per year than McDaniel College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($17,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($183 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.