TU vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

TU vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or SUNY Cortland? 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 SUNY Cortland ($16,653 vs. $19,847).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 4.3% lower than at Towson University ($15,560 vs. $16,260).
• Towson University is 32.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $2,854 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at TU than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $11,036 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Towson University than at State University of New York at Cortland (73% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 43.2% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($11,820 vs. $8,254).

TU vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at State University of New York at Cortland (1170) is 80 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming SUNY Cortland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

TU vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Towson University's (64%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($17,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($183 vs. $222).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.