Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Towson University #114 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $65,610 four years after enrollment, placing Towson University in the 70.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Towson University #70 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Towson University earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 54.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment of $65,610 and a strong mobility ranking combine to make Towson University a reliable path to post-graduation financial stability, particularly for students drawn to health and applied professional fields.
Azimuth ranks Towson University #118 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 92.1 percentile. The current structured profile shows retention at 82.8% and a six-year graduation rate of 69.5%. Return on investment ranks #628, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $65,610. Graduates earn about $795 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 70.6 percentile; published cost of attendance is $28,535, and the middle-income net price is $16,784. Access sits in the 85.8 percentile, with 35.8% receiving Pell Grants and 29.0% first-generation.
Towson University's published cost of attendance is $28,535, but financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $6,962; middle-income families pay about $16,784; higher-income families pay approximately $26,396. Azimuth ranks Towson University #420 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 70.6th percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,718, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,489; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median earnings four years after enrollment of $65,610, median federal debt of $18,718 projects to a monthly payment of about $211 under standard 10-year repayment. For personalized projections including Parent PLUS scenarios, see the Financial GPS tool.
Towson University is a strong fit for students drawn to health professions and related fields who want a public university experience in Maryland. Health programs represent 13% of graduates, creating clear pathways into in-demand careers in a field where Towson has built meaningful depth.
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,610, placing Towson in the 70.2nd percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Earnings track roughly in line with similar students at comparable institutions — Towson sits at the 54.4th percentile for earnings beyond expectations — meaning the institution delivers on its promise without dramatically outpacing peer schools.
Towson serves a broad student population: 35.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 29.0% are first-generation college students. Low-income families pay a net price of approximately $6,962, and middle-income families see costs around $16,784 — figures that make Towson a realistic option for students weighing affordability alongside outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Towson University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Fit depends on program alignment and budget. Students focused on health fields will find strong outcomes and a well-developed program ecosystem. Those pursuing disciplines outside Towson's areas of concentration may want to compare alternatives before committing. The 82.0% admission rate makes Towson broadly accessible — more open than most public flagships — which matters for students who need a realistic path to enrollment alongside a credible path to a career.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Towson University's published cost of attendance is $28,535, but financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $6,962; middle-income families pay about $16,784; higher-income families pay approximately $26,396. Azimuth ranks Towson University #420 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 70.6th percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,718, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $28,489; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median earnings four years after enrollment of $65,610, median federal debt of $18,718 projects to a monthly payment of about $211 under standard 10-year repayment. For personalized projections including Parent PLUS scenarios, see the Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of Towson University earn median 4-year earnings of $65,610, placing Towson University in the 70.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $795 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 54.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Towson University #628 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 481 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $78,497, ranked #57 nationally in its major. Psychology, General reports 421 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $55,497, ranked #72 nationally in its major.
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication reports 315 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $42,584, ranked #39 nationally in its major. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness reports 294 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $58,624, ranked #50 nationally in its major.
Computer Science
167 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
117 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
288 graduates
Physics
13 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
481 graduates
Towson University's program mix is anchored in Health, with breadth across business, education, and social science fields. Business accounts for 13% of graduates, Social Sciences accounts for 10%, and Education accounts for 9% — a distribution that reflects the university's applied-professional orientation.
The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in health and business subfields. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #87 among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with graduates earning $104,653 from a cohort of 167.
Azimuth ranks Nursing #109 among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with graduates earning $91,044, and Azimuth ranks Business Administration #68 among nonprofit four-year institutions for median earnings four years after enrollment, with graduates earning $78,497. Business Administration combines the largest cohort — 481 graduates — with median earnings of $78,497.
Several of Towson University's largest programs feed directly into high-demand local labor markets — particularly nursing, education, and allied health fields where graduates enter the workforce immediately. Programs like Kinesiology (294 graduates, $58,624 in median earnings) and Nursing (288 graduates, $91,044 in median earnings) serve students who plan to stay in the region.
The [supply-demand map for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with national hiring trends, and the [program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) explains how Azimuth evaluates programs across cohort scale, earnings, and benchmark performance.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northern Illinois University Similar quality tier (#4249 ranked) | IL | 70% | $57,808 | #4249 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Boston Similar quality tier (#4250 ranked) | MA | 84% | $65,865 | #4250 | Compare |
Temple University Similar quality tier (#4247 ranked) | PA | 80% | $63,727 | #4247 | Compare |
Oregon State University Similar quality tier (#4251 ranked) | OR | 77% | $64,010 | #4251 | Compare |
Sam Houston State University Similar quality tier (#4245 ranked) | TX | 90% | $54,211 | #4245 | Compare |
