Maryland vs. TU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than TU based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 19,401 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Towson University is in Towson, MD (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Towson University 14:1.

Maryland vs. TU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or TU? 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 University of Maryland College Park than TU ($16,581 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 1.9% lower than at Towson University ($15,958 vs. $16,260).
• University of Maryland College Park is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $81 more per year; $11,809.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.1% higher at Maryland than at Towson University (about $11,366 more per year; $41,186.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Towson University than at University of Maryland College Park (73% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland College Park students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($12,867 vs. $11,820).

Maryland vs. TU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 380 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Towson University 950/1235.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Towson University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; TU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at TU (3.69).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Maryland (44.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 18.2% at TU.

Maryland vs. TU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and TU? 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).

• University of Maryland College Park's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Towson University's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than TU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($17,750 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($183 vs. $201).
• More Maryland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.