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McDaniel College

Westminster, MD·Private nonprofit·1,652 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.

84%
Accept
1,652
Students
$20,923
Net Price
64%
Grad Rate
$54,000
Earnings
10 yr
$15,000
Debt

About This School

McDaniel College is a private nonprofit institution located in Westminster, Maryland with approximately 1,652 undergraduate students enrolled. McDaniel College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 84%. The average net price after financial aid is $20,923 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $54,000 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 64% graduation rate is notably below average for a private college, meaning more than 1 in 3 students who start don't finish, which is worth taking seriously. On the financial side, things look more promising — median debt of just $15,000 and a net price around $21,000/year are genuinely manageable, and median earnings of $54,000 a decade out are reasonable given that low debt load. Worth considering if you're drawn to a small, personal campus environment in suburban Maryland and have a clear plan to stay enrolled, but ask hard questions about academic and student support before committing.

Founded
1867
Setting
Fringe town

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing15%
Psychology12%
Social Sciences8%
Biological Sciences7%
Visual & Performing Arts7%
Communications5%
Education3%
Computer Science2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Whittaker ChambersJoni Eareckson TadaKnut HjeltnesAlan Rabinowitz

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$49,647
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,647
Avg Net Price
$20,923
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants34%
Median debt at graduation$15,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
64%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
79%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$54,000
after enrollment
Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$36,400
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$54,000
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.6x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White55%
Black23%
Hispanic/Latino11%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,652 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

McDaniel College

2 College Hill

Westminster, MD 21157

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Maryland

Browse all Maryland schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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