Towson University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Towson, Maryland · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2024-2025
- Test-optional
- Early Action
- 19,777
- Applicants
- 16,212
- Admitted82%
- 2,947
- Enrolled
- 18%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access82% admittedRanked #13 in Regional Universities North; Business Programs #230 (tie), Computer Science #173 (tie), Nursing #135 (tie), Economics #185 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Towson University (see the source), read on 2026-06-15.
Is Towson University a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Towson University against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Towson University is a public university in Towson, Maryland that admits about 82% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $17,413 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 69% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. For the most recent reporting cycle, Towson University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 82%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1100 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,413 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Towson University?
61% of enrolled students at Towson University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.78, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
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What does Towson University weight in admissions?
Towson University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
2- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
Important
3- Class rank
- Application essay
- Extracurricular activities
Considered
8- Standardized test scores
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not Considered
5- Recommendations
- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores Towson University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 460–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–27. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 950 |
| 50th percentile | 1100 |
| 75th percentile | 1230 |
| % submitting SAT | 16.7% |
| 25th percentile | 18.5 |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | 26.5 |
| % submitting ACT | 1% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Towson does not require SAT/ACT; scores considered if sent and cannot hurt you.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Towson University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Towson University actually cost?
Published tuition is $11,728 for in-state students and $29,820 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,260 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,413 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 36% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $7,756 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $26,902 |
| Room and board | $16,666 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $17,413 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 61% |
| Average need-based grant | $13,825 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 62% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $28,309 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Towson University
| Regular deadline | 1-May |
| Notification date | 1-Dec |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified after |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 15 |
Will my child graduate from Towson University?
These predict outcomes at Towson University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Towson University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Towson University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. Across all programs, Towson University confers roughly 2,444 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $78,303 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 481 | $78,303 |
| Psychology, General | 421 | $53,068 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 315 | $45,536 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 294 | $60,108 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 288 | $85,718 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 231 | $64,123 |
| Biology, General | 218 | $65,900 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 196 | $92,993 |
Is Towson University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Towson University disclosed 36 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 11 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Towson University?
About 33% of undergraduates at Towson University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 5% of men join a fraternity and 4% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for Towson University
Common questions parents ask about Towson University
What GPA do I need for Towson University?
61% of enrolled students at Towson University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.78, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Towson University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 460–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 570. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–27.
How much does Towson University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Towson University after grants and scholarships is $17,413 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $11,728 and $29,820 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Towson University realistic for my child?
Towson University admits 82% of applicants, so 460–600 SAT Math is target range and below 460 is a reach. Then check the $17,413 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Towson University?
Towson University accepts about 82% of applicants out of roughly 19,777 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Towson University test-optional?
Yes. Towson University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Towson University?
About 69% of students at Towson University graduate within six years. 83% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Towson University look for in applicants?
Towson University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Towson University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Towson University is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland.
What are the most popular majors at Towson University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Towson University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. The school awards about 2,444 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Towson University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Towson University reported 36 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Towson University?
At Towson University, 33% of undergraduates live on campus, 5% of men are in fraternities, 4% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Towson University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers