TU vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Penn State York in York, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Penn State York is in York, PA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State York is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Penn State York 14:1.

TU vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU or Penn State York? 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 Penn State York ($16,653 vs. $18,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State York are 6.1% lower than at Towson University ($15,274 vs. $16,260).
• Penn State York is 29.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $3,480 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at TU than at Penn State York (about $4,428 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State York than at Towson University (80% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 35% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($11,820 vs. $8,756).

TU vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU or Penn State York? 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 Penn State York and TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State York (1150) is 60 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming Penn State York students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Penn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Penn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn State York - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

TU vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU and Penn State York? 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State York earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than TU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $9,068 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($17,750 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($183 vs. $277).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State York students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.