Washington College vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

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

McDaniel College is larger than Washington College based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 923 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington College is located in Chestertown, MD (Distant Town setting); McDaniel College is in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• Washington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington College 8:1; McDaniel College 13:1.

Washington College vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Washington College 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 McDaniel College than Washington College ($24,497 vs. $29,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 28.9% lower than at Washington College ($12,974 vs. $18,250).
• Washington College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than McDaniel College (about $3,245 more per year; $55,326.00 vs. $52,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Washington College than at McDaniel College (about $3,245 more per year; $55,326.00 vs. $52,081.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Washington College as at McDaniel College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington College students is 6.8% larger than aid received by McDaniel College students ($43,485 vs. $40,721).

Washington College vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Washington College 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 Washington College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 1140/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington College 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Washington College - Test optional; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Washington College Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at McDaniel College (3.64).
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than Washington College (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Washington College vs. 13.7% at McDaniel College.

Washington College vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Washington College 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).

• Washington College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than McDaniel College's (74%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Washington College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McDaniel College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.