TU vs. Culinary Institute of America

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Culinary Institute of America based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 3,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Culinary Institute of America is in Hyde Park, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Culinary Institute of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Culinary Institute of America 18:1.

TU vs. Culinary Institute of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Towson University than Culinary Institute of America ($16,653 vs. $39,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Culinary Institute of America are 7.6% lower than at Towson University ($15,030 vs. $16,260).
• Culinary Institute of America is 239.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $28,122 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.6% higher at Culinary Institute of America than at Towson University (about $10,030 more per year; $39,850.00 vs. $29,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Culinary Institute of America than at Towson University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Culinary Institute of America students is 63.7% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($19,350 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Culinary Institute of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or Culinary Institute of America? 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 Culinary Institute of America and TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Towson University (1090) is 30 points higher than at Culinary Institute of America (1060).
• Incoming TU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Culinary Institute of America).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Culinary Institute of America 928/1183.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Culinary Institute of America 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Culinary Institute of America - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Culinary Institute of America (3.26).
• Culinary Institute of America has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 31% at Culinary Institute of America.

TU vs. Culinary Institute of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and Culinary Institute of America? 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).

• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Culinary Institute of America graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than TU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,750).
• Among borrowers, Culinary Institute of America graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TU graduates ($155 vs. $183).
• More Culinary Institute of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.