McDaniel College vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Lesley University in Cambridge, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than Lesley University based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Lesley University 10:1.

McDaniel College vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or Lesley University? 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 Lesley University ($24,497 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 34.9% lower than at Lesley University ($12,974 vs. $19,920).
• McDaniel College is 52% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $17,825 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52% higher at McDaniel College than at Lesley University (about $17,825 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College as at Lesley University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 112.5% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($40,721 vs. $19,167).

McDaniel College vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

McDaniel College vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel College and Lesley University? 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,680 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($24,320 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($251 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 63%)

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.