McDaniel College
McDaniel College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
McDaniel College at a Glance
McDaniel College is a private college in Westminster, Maryland, United States, established in 1867. McDaniel College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The college also has a satellite campus, McDaniel College Budapest, in Budapest, Hungary. The college owns and manages a shopping center and residential properties through its for-profit arm.
1867
159 years old
$157M
$156.8 million (2024)
2,882
1,665 undergrad · 1,217 grad
160 acres
Identity
Is McDaniel College Worth It?
McDaniel College offers moderate value at $21,916/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $60,663, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How McDaniel College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MD
Ranked #42 of 231 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #6 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #42 | McDaniel College | 44 | $21,916 | $60,663 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of McDaniel College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in MD.
Best Programs at McDaniel College
The highest-earning program at McDaniel College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $47,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $21,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from McDaniel College earns $47,500, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $21,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $24,625 in median debt vs. $27,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,916/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,500 | $47,500 | $24,625 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,400 | $37,400 | $27,000 |
| Sociology | $30,800 | $30,800 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $25,500 | $25,500 | $27,000 |
| History | $21,300 | $21,300 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,200 | $21,200 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Westminster, MD
- Student Body
- 1,617 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,916
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,663
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000