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Public 4-Year Minimally Selective Towson, MD NCAA Division I-FCS

Towson University

Towson, MD

82%
Acceptance Rate
$32,730/yr
Est. Cost of Attendancesum of published cost components
$17,413/yr
Avg Price After Aid
68.6%
6-yr Grad Rate
16,136
Undergrads

About Towson University

Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland, a small city setting. The university serves approximately 16,136 undergraduate students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1.

Type
Public 4-Year
Undergrads
16,136
Avg Faculty Salary
$89,749
Athletics
NCAA Division I-FCS
Endowment
$114.6M
Pell Students
35.8%
First-Gen
29%
What Towson University Is Known For
Majors far more concentrated here than at colleges nationally
Radio, Television, and Digital... 116 graduates · 2.9% of degrees here vs 0.04% nationally 74×
Education/Teaching of Individuals in... 69 graduates · 1.7% of degrees here vs 0.03% nationally 58×
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia 184 graduates · 4.6% of degrees here vs 0.32% nationally 15×
Information Technology 232 graduates · 5.8% of degrees here vs 0.69% nationally
Communication 111 graduates · 2.8% of degrees here vs 0.46% nationally
SOURCEIPEDS Completions 2023, against the national share at the same degree level
Admissions
82%
Acceptance rate · Minimally Selective
18,948
Applicants
Can I Get In? →
Cost & Aid
$17,413 avg net
Average net price after aid
$6,962
Under $30K income
$114.6M
Endowment
Can I Afford It? →
Outcomes
$54,302 median
Median earnings 6 years after entering
68.6%
6-yr Grad Rate
$18,718
Median Debt
Is It Worth It? →

Towson University Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Acceptance Rate
82%
18,948 applicants
Student:Faculty Ratio
14:1
Undergrad instruction

Towson University has an acceptance rate of 82.0%, indicating that the institution admits a substantial majority of applicants. This relatively high acceptance rate means most applicants meeting standard requirements are admitted.

How Selective Is That, Really?
Each dot is one of 100 applicants · Source: school's Common Data Set, else College Scorecard
1 in 2 applicants is admitted · 18,948 applied
10-Year Acceptance Rate Trend
10-year trend · Source: College Scorecard
10 years

SAT & ACT Score Ranges

Where Admitted Students Score
Middle 50% of enrolled students, on the full SAT scale · Source: College Scorecard (IPEDS)
Fall 2023
950–1235
40080012001600
Who Applies, and Who Gets In
First-year applicants, admits and enrollees by gender
Applied Admitted Rate Enrolled
Men 7,370 5,906 80.1% 1,198
Women 11,578 9,783 84.5% 1,816
SOURCEIPEDS Admissions — Fall 2023 admissions cycle
How These Admissions Numbers Compare
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median

Towson University admits 82% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 83%.

Acceptance rate
This school
82%
Similar colleges (532)
83%
MD (28)
76.1%
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (49)
77.7%
National (1,934)
78.1%

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Towson University Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance

Avg Net Price
$17,413
Average for all students receiving federal aid, 2023-24
Median Federal Debt
$18,718
Federal Loan Rate
41.6%
Students borrowing federal loans

Towson University's cost of attendance is $32,730, while the average net price students pay is $17,413, meaning the typical student pays significantly less than the sticker price.

Cost of Attendance Breakdown
Estimated annual costs · on-campus, 2023-24 · Source: College Scorecard
$32,730
In-state Tuition & Fees
$11,728
36%
Room & Board
$16,260
50%
Books & Supplies
$960
3%
Other Expenses
$3,782
12%

What You'd Actually Pay by Family Income

What You'd Actually Pay by Family Income
Average net price after all grants and scholarships · Source: College Scorecard (IPEDS net price)
Under $30,000
$6,962
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,590
$48,001 – $75,000
$16,784
$75,001 – $110,000
$22,720
Over $110,000
$26,396
Full Cost of Attendance
Source: College Scorecard
2023-24

Student Loan Debt

How Many Students Borrow
Undergraduates taking on any loan
Take out a loan
86%
Federal loans
42%

Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $198.

SOURCECollege Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education
How This Price Compares
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median

After aid, Towson University costs $17,413 a year — about 19% more than a typical similar college.

Cost of attendance
This school
$28,535
Similar colleges (565)
$25,083
MD (47)
$26,406
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (66)
$28,723
National (3,197)
$25,367
Students taking a loan
This school
85.6%
Similar colleges (583)
84.8%
MD (61)
85.5%
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (91)
85.5%
National (4,096)
86.4%
Median debt at graduation
This school
$18,718
Similar colleges (585)
$21,000
MD (65)
$13,000
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (97)
$14,750
National (4,347)
$13,097
Average net price
This school
$17,413
Similar colleges (565)
$14,600
MD (70)
$17,578
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (103)
$18,526
National (5,106)
$17,160

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Towson University Graduation Rate & Student Outcomes

6-yr Grad Rate
68.6%
Median Earnings 6yr
$54,302
6 years after entering

Towson University has a graduation rate of 68.6%, with median earnings of $54,302 six years after entry and $64,390 ten years after entry.

Graduate Earnings After College

Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
6 and 10 years after entering · includes all students, not just graduates · Source: College Scorecard
Median Earnings by Gender · 6 Years After Entering
Students working 6 years after entering · Source: College Scorecard
$56,890
Men
$52,925
Women
Graduation Rate: Pell vs. Non-Pell
6-year graduation rate by grant status · Source: College Scorecard
66.3%
Pell recipients
71.2%
Non-Pell students

Top Majors & Programs

Top Majors by Graduates
Most recent year available · bachelor's degrees only · Source: IPEDS Completions 2023
MajorGraduates
Business Administration and Management,...495
Psychology, General352
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse250
Information Technology232
Social Sciences, Other201
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia184
Biology/Biological Sciences, General155
Computer Science155
Exercise Science and Kinesiology146
Radio, Television, and Digital...116
Graduation Rate by Race & Ethnicity
Completing within six years
White
71.2%
Black
70.8%
Asian
67.3%
Hispanic
64.8%
SOURCECollege Scorecard — groups with too few students to report are omitted
Earnings Further Out
The longer horizon

Median earnings eight years after entering Towson University are $59,840, and 76% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.

SOURCECollege Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education
How These Outcomes Compare
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median

Six years after entry, former Towson University students earn $54,302 — 18% more than at a typical similar college.

Median earnings, 10 years
This school
$64,390
Similar colleges (587)
$54,560
MD (66)
$44,910
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (98)
$45,013
National (4,696)
$40,782
Median earnings, 6 years
This school
$54,302
Similar colleges (589)
$46,058
MD (68)
$36,662
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (105)
$37,482
National (4,847)
$35,433
Graduation rate
This school
68.6%
Similar colleges (566)
51.7%
MD (29)
58.7%
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (49)
58.7%
National (2,168)
52.3%
Freshman retention
This school
83%
Similar colleges (567)
76%
MD (31)
77.6%
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (57)
78.3%
National (1,841)
75.7%

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Towson University Campus, Athletics & Faculty

Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland, a small city setting. The student body includes 16,136 undergraduates, with 58.6% women, 29.0% first-generation students, and 35.8% Pell grant recipients.

Student Demographics
Undergraduate enrollment · Source: College Scorecard / IPEDS
Race & Ethnicity
White
37.8%
Asian
6.7%
Hispanic
11.5%
Black
35.7%
Other Indicators
First-generation
29%
Pell grant recipients
35.8%
Women
58.6%
Towson University Athletics
Total Revenue
$10.2M
Total Expense
$10.2M
Athletes
569
248 men · 321 women
Head Coach Salaries
Men's vs Women's programs · Source: Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act
Men's sports
$247,069
Women's sports
$109,884

Average head coach salary by program gender.

Athletic Aid
Scholarship spending by gender · Source: Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act
Men's aid
$3,533,014
Women's aid
$4,145,311
Academic Resources
934
Full-time faculty
$89,749
Avg faculty salary
8,287
FT staff
$114.6M
Endowment
Faculty Salary by Gender
All instructional ranks combined · Source: IPEDS Human Resources
Men (avg)
$94,412
Women (avg)
$86,493
Overall avg
$89,749
Who Is on Campus
Beyond the undergraduate headcount
Undergraduates
16,136
Graduate students
3,137
Varsity Athletes
Play a varsity sport
3.5%

511 of 14,516 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.

SOURCEIPEDS enrollment; Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act filings
Online & Distance Learning
How much of the teaching happens remotely
Undergrads fully online
2%
Undergrads taking any
37.7%
Grad students fully online
39.4%

325 of 16,517 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 1,187 of 3,010 graduate students.

SOURCEIPEDS Fall Enrollment, distance education status

Towson University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

How This Campus Compares
Against the colleges this school should be measured against
Median
Pell grant share
This school
35.8%
Similar colleges (590)
34%
MD (72)
35.3%
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (111)
34.3%
National (5,367)
40.1%
Research spending per student
This school
$13,949
Similar colleges (531)
$8,786
MD (43)
$6,507
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (57)
$6,579
National (2,823)
$5,605
Students per faculty member
This school
14:1
Similar colleges (595)
16:1
MD (74)
14:1
Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA (116)
14:1
National (5,427)
15:1

Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.

Every Major at Towson University
62 fields of study, bachelor's degree level, grouped by subject area
3,986 graduates
Business and Marketing 603 grads · 2 majors
Business Administration and Management,... 495
Accounting 108
Health Professions 487 grads · 5 majors
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 250
Health/Health Care Administration/Management 93
Public Health, General 71
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language... 59
Health Services/Allied Health/Health... 14
Computer and Information Sciences 420 grads · 3 majors
Information Technology 232
Computer Science 155
Information Science/Studies 33
Communication and Journalism 411 grads · 3 majors
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia 184
Radio, Television, and Digital... 116
Communication, General 111
Social Sciences 361 grads · 7 majors
Social Sciences, Other 201
Political Science and Government, General 60
Economics, General 42
Social Sciences, General 22
Geography 16
International Relations and Affairs 16
Urban Studies/Affairs 4
Psychology 352 grads · 1 major
Psychology, General 352
Education 319 grads · 10 majors
Elementary Education and Teaching 87
Education/Teaching of Individuals in... 69
Early Childhood Education and Teaching 59
Education/Teaching of Individuals in... 43
Music Teacher Education 24
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 18
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School... 7
Special Education and Teaching, General 7
Mathematics Teacher Education 3
Art Teacher Education 2
Parks, Recreation and Kinesiology 255 grads · 3 majors
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 146
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management 107
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities... 2
Visual and Performing Arts 191 grads · 7 majors
Fine/Studio Arts, General 68
Art/Art Studies, General 57
Music, General 23
Dance, General 18
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 10
Acting 8
Art History, Criticism and Conservation 7
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 187 grads · 2 majors
Biology/Biological Sciences, General 155
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular... 32
Public Administration and Social Services 72 grads · 1 major
Human Services, General 72
English Language and Literature 61 grads · 1 major
English Language and Literature, General 61
Physical Sciences 56 grads · 5 majors
Forensic Chemistry 17
Chemistry, General 16
Geology/Earth Science, General 11
Physics, General 8
Geological and Earth... 4
History 45 grads · 1 major
History, General 45
Multidisciplinary Studies 40 grads · 2 majors
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General 33
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 7
Natural Resources and Conservation 39 grads · 1 major
Natural Resources/Conservation, General 39
Mathematics and Statistics 33 grads · 1 major
Mathematics, General 33
Area, Ethnic and Gender Studies 27 grads · 3 majors
Deaf Studies 15
American/United States Studies/Civilization 11
Women's Studies 1
Foreign Languages and Linguistics 13 grads · 1 major
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General 13
Philosophy and Religious Studies 12 grads · 2 majors
Philosophy 10
Religion/Religious Studies 2
Family and Consumer Sciences 2 grads · 1 major
Family Systems 2
SOURCEIPEDS Completions 2023 — first majors only, so a student with a double major is counted once

Towson University Location & Campus Safety

Towson University is in Towson, MD, in what IPEDS classifies as a small city setting. The campus sits about 0.4 miles from the center of Towson. There are 14 other colleges within 25 miles, and Baltimore, MD is 6.5 miles away.

Towson University Other colleges within 30 miles
Small city
Campus Setting
0.4 mi
To City Center
14
Colleges Within 25 mi
57,683
Towson Population
Living in Towson
Cost of living and getting around, for the whole city — not the campus
ACS 2023
$1,784
Median Rent / mo
$100,481
Median Household Income
31.5%
Rent as % of Income
How People Commute
Drive alone
64.9%
Walk
4.9%
Public transit
2%

Baltimore County scores 10.7 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.

Undergraduates make up about 18.3% of Towson's residents.

SOURCEU.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates; EPA National Walkability Index
Colleges Near Towson University
Within 30 miles, at least 500 students, by straight-line distance
Morgan State University 9,019 students 3.7 mi
Johns Hopkins University 5,693 students 4.5 mi
SOURCEIPEDS campus coordinates, Towson University to each campus

Campus Safety at Towson University

Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Towson University reported for 2024.

20
On-Campus Offenses
11
In Residence Halls
1
Per 1,000 Students
33
Domestic, Dating & Stalking

Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.

Reported On-Campus Offenses by Year
Criminal offenses reported on campus, including residence halls · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act disclosures
2022
25
2023
37
2024
20
What Was Reported in 2024
On-campus criminal offenses by category
Sexual offenses
10
Robbery
4
Burglary
3
Aggravated assault
3

Separately, Towson University reported 6 arrests and 68 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.

SOURCEU.S. Department of Education, Campus Safety and Security — Clery Act disclosures, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Towson University admissions, costs, and outcomes.