McDaniel College vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Averett University in Danville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 1,476 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Averett University is in Danville, VA (Small City setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Averett University 16:1.

McDaniel College vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or AU? 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 Averett University than McDaniel College ($23,471 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 10.7% lower than at Averett University ($12,974 vs. $14,530).
• McDaniel College is 35.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $13,531 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $38,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at McDaniel College than at Averett University (about $13,531 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $38,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College than at Averett University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 35.7% larger than aid received by Averett University students ($40,721 vs. $29,998).

McDaniel College vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McDaniel College or AU? 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 AU and McDaniel College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAverett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAverett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; AU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at AU (3.07).
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 18.1% at AU.

McDaniel College vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel College and AU? 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Averett University's (41%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $48,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Averett University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 51%)

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.