TU vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

TU vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or SU? 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 SU ($16,653 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 23.2% lower than at Towson University ($12,490 vs. $16,260).
• Shenandoah University is 215.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $25,222 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.9% higher at SU than at Towson University (about $7,130 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Towson University (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 109.4% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($24,747 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Shenandoah University (1120) is 30 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming TU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at TU (3.69).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 16.7% at SU.

TU vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and SU? 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 Shenandoah University's (45%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($17,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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.