Towson University vs University of Maryland College Park

Towson University vs University of Maryland, College Park (UMD)

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Towson University is mostly regionally concentrated and does not feature on top global university rankings. It is renowned for education, business, health sciences, communications, and liberal arts programs that equip students for robust regional workforce opportunities. The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is a public flagship research university and is ranked #207 in QS and 112^th in Times Higher Education. UMD is strong internationally across engineering, computer science, business, public policy, and natural sciences, with numerous programs within the top 20–40 worldwide.

General Information

Towson University, situated north of Baltimore, has approximately 19,000 enrolled students. It is a broad public university focused on affordable education, applied studies, and professional programs. UMD, which has its main campus in College Park just outside of Washington, D.C., is much larger, with almost 41,000 students. It is the system-wide flag ship with significant undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and a robust research mission. Towson's campus is suburban and community-focused, whereas UMD provides the amenities of a big, internationally networked research center.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Towson's moderately selective admissions profile carries an acceptance rate of roughly 83%, making it an affordable choice for Maryland students. UMD is far more selective, accepting approximately 45% of applicants in total, with extremely competitive programs in engineering, computer science, and business. UMD attracts highly qualified students from around the U.S. and abroad, whereas Towson is more concerned with regional access and opportunity.

Research Impact & Facilities

UMD is one of the highest-researching public universities in the U.S., with more than USD 1 billion of research spending annually. It is a research leader in STEM fields, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, climate studies, and public policy, frequently collaborating with federal agencies in neighboring Washington, D.C. Towson, while less research-oriented on the same magnitude, has areas of strength in applied research, teacher training, business collaborations, and public health. Their facilities are geared towards supporting professional training and regional development.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both are state institutions in Maryland, with lower in-state tuition than private universities. Towson's in-state tuition is approximately USD 10,500 annually, with out-of-state tuition approximately USD 26,000–27,000. UMD's in-state tuition is a bit higher, approximately USD 12,000, with out-of-state tuition approximately USD 39,000. Both schools offer financial assistance and scholarships, but UMD has higher merit programs for excellent academic performers, particularly in the STEM and honors programs. Towson has solid need-based assistance and scholarships for accessibility.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UMD alumni enjoy a formidable alumni network and excellent employability, especially in tech, government, research, and business. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. gives it special access to internships, federal agencies, and policy institutions. Towson graduates perform well regionally, especially in education, business, communications, and health professions, adding substantially to Maryland's labor force. Although UMD alumni boast international prestige and better rankings in employability rates, Towson's alumni community is strong in the Baltimore–Maryland area, upholding strong professional and community relationships.