Towson University
Towson University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Towson University at a Glance
Towson University is a public university in Towson, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1866 as Maryland's first training school for teachers, Towson University is a part of the University System of Maryland. Since its founding, the university has evolved into eight subsidiary colleges with over 20,000 students. Its 329-acre campus is situated in Baltimore County, Maryland, eight miles north of downtown Baltimore. Towson is one of the largest public universities in Maryland and produces the most…
1866
160 years old
$100M
$100.128 million (Towson University, 2025)
19,401
16,264 undergrad · 3,137 grad
1,644
14:1 student:faculty
329 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Towson University
Official admissions pageMarch 1
June 1 (Early Action)
Testing policy
Is Towson University Worth It?
Towson University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $17,413/year, it's priced 15% below average, while graduates go on to earn $64,390 — 20% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Towson University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 65 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 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #2 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #13 | Towson University | 63 | $17,413 | $64,390 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Towson University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Towson University
The highest-earning program at Towson University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $66,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Towson University earns $66,100, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,400. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $18,593 in median debt vs. $19,996 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,413/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,100 | $66,100 | $18,593 |
| Computer Science | $65,000 | $65,000 | $18,300 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,400 | $53,400 | $18,495 |
| Mathematics | $52,000 | $52,000 | $19,500 |
| Information Science/Studies | $51,800 | $51,800 | $23,718 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,700 | $51,700 | $19,771 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,100 | $46,100 | $19,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,900 | $45,900 | $18,527 |
| Education, Other | $44,700 | $44,700 | $17,184 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,500 | $43,500 | $22,235 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,300 | $43,300 | $18,221 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $40,400 | $40,400 | N/A |
| Economics | $39,800 | $39,800 | $19,250 |
| Geography and Cartography | $39,700 | $39,700 | $18,750 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $38,900 | $38,900 | $19,360 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $37,600 | $37,600 | $15,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,200 | $37,200 | $18,985 |
| History | $37,000 | $37,000 | $18,085 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $36,700 | $36,700 | $19,750 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $35,800 | $35,800 | $19,683 |
| Chemistry | $34,800 | $34,800 | $19,125 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,600 | $33,600 | $20,830 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $33,000 | $33,000 | $16,750 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $32,100 | $32,100 | $16,750 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $31,400 | $31,400 | $17,435 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $30,400 | $30,400 | $17,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $19,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,400 | $30,400 | $18,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,200 | $30,200 | $17,553 |
| Human Services, General | $30,000 | $30,000 | $20,000 |
| Psychology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $17,349 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $28,800 | $28,800 | $19,750 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $27,900 | $27,900 | $20,584 |
| Biology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $19,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $26,000 | $26,000 | $23,707 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | $25,600 | $25,600 | N/A |
| Music | $23,500 | $23,500 | $18,635 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $18,800 | $18,800 | $20,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,400 | $18,400 | $19,996 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Towson, MD
- Student Body
- 16,136 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,413
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,390
- Median Student Debt
- $18,718