Towson University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Towson University is a public research university in Towson, Maryland, with about 16,136 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 81.97% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $64,390 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $11,728
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,413 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 81.97% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 16,136 89.1% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 69.46%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 29.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 18.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 57.1%
- Average SAT Score: 1095
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,881
- Applicants (IPEDS): 18,948
- Room & Board: $16,260 annual estimate
Towson University: what the data shows
Common questions about Towson University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Towson University?
Towson University is located in Towson, MD (ZIP 21252-0001).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Towson University public or private?
Towson University is a Public institution.
How much does Towson University cost?
Published tuition: $11,728 in-state, $29,820 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $17,413.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $6,962 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $12,590 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,784 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $22,720 |
| $110,001+ | $26,396 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $46,912.
How hard is it to get into Towson University?
Admission rate: 81.97%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1095 and midpoint ACT 24.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Towson University?
Total enrollment: 16,136 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 17,881 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3,137 students.
About 89% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Towson University?
150%-time completion rate: 69.46%.
First-year retention: 82.8%.
What do graduates of Towson University earn?
Median earnings: $54,302 six years after entry; $64,390 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $18,718.
35.79% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Towson University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (506 completions)
- Psychology, General (429 completions)
- Information Technology (290 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (250 completions)
- Social Sciences, Other (208 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (191 completions)
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia (188 completions)
- Computer Science (178 completions)
- Educational/Instructional Technology (155 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (146 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Towson University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 81.97%; completion rate 69.46%; median earnings $64,390 at 10 years; net price $17,413. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$11,728
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Towson University was $11,728.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,413
2024 Value
In 2024 Towson University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,413.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$69,652 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,413 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$46,912 4-Year In-State Tuition
$119,280 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$16,260 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$960 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$28,948 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$115,792 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Towson University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
35.79% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
41.63% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Towson University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Towson University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $8,342 | $20,020 | $16,133 |
| 2014 | $8,590 | $20,268 | $16,363 |
| 2015 | $9,182 | $20,788 | $17,516 |
| 2016 | $9,408 | $21,076 | $17,628 |
| 2017 | $9,694 | $22,140 | $17,893 |
| 2018 | $9,940 | $23,208 | $18,186 |
| 2019 | $10,198 | $24,334 | $18,233 |
| 2020 | $10,198 | $24,334 | $18,105 |
| 2021 | $10,464 | $25,516 | $12,621 |
| 2022 | $10,818 | $26,820 | $14,151 |
| 2023 | $11,306 | $28,326 | $16,791 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
81.97% Acceptance Rate
18,948 Total Applicants
15,689 Students Admitted
3,014 First-Time Students Enrolled
19.21% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1095
ACT Average: 24
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Towson University reported total enrollment of about 16,136 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (37.8%), Black or African American (35.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (11.5%). About 35.79% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 29.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
89.1% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Towson University in 2024 is 16,136 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 17,881 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,137 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
82.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 37.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
47.12% 100% Completion Time
69.46% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 47.12% of students graduating from Towson University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 59% male / 41% female
- Psychology, General: 16% male / 84% female
- Information Technology: 66% male / 34% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Towson University.
Return on Investment
$18,718 Median Student Debt
$64,390 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
29.07% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
824.45% Return on Investment
2.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Towson University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 106 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 506 completions
2. Psychology, General: 429 completions
3. Information Technology: 290 completions
4. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 250 completions
5. Social Sciences, Other: 208 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 191 completions
7. Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia: 188 completions
8. Computer Science: 178 completions
9. Educational/Instructional Technology: 155 completions
Most popular programs at Towson University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Towson University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Towson University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 57.1%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $9,975
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,084
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, MD, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Information Technology. Enrollment is approximately 16,136 students. Student body composition includes White (37.8%), Black or African American (35.7%), Hispanic or Latino (11.5%). The admission rate is 81.97%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1095. The 150%-time completion rate is 69.46%. Approximately 35.79% of students receive Pell Grants. About 29.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Towson, MD 21252-0001
Region: Mid East
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 106 distinct degree programs, Towson University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Towson University located?
Towson University is located in Towson, MD.
What is Towson University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Towson University is 82.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 18,948 applicants and 15,689 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Towson University cost?
Reported tuition is $11,728 and average net price is $17,413 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $16,260 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Towson University?
Towson University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 17,881 students, White (37.8%), Black or African American (35.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Towson University?
About 29.0% of students at Towson University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Towson University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Towson University reports midpoint SAT about 1095 and midpoint ACT about 24.
What do graduates of Towson University earn?
Median earnings are $54,302 six years after entry and $64,390 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Towson University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 69.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Towson University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,718.
Is Towson University public or private?
Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, MD.
Is Towson University an HBCU?
No. Towson University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Towson University a tribal college?
No. Towson University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Maryland college costs
- Maryland colleges by ROI
- Mid East regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Maryland
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.