Is Towson University (TU) a Good School?

Overview of Towson University

Location and Campus Environment

Towson University (TU) sits just eight miles north of downtown Baltimore, so you get that classic leafy-quad vibe without losing big-city access.

The surrounding town is packed with coffee shops, record stores, and—if you’re house-hunting—plenty of homes for sale in Towson that appeal to faculty, grad students, and savvy investors alike.

It’s a walkable, suburban setting that still feels plugged into the real world.

Brief History and Reputation

Founded in 1866 as a teachers’ school, TU has spent more than 150 years climbing the college rankings.

In the 2025 cycle, the Wall Street Journal called it the #1 public university in Maryland and the No. 15 public in the nation, highlighting TU’s transformational impact on social mobility.

U.S. News & World Report lists the school among the top-five best public “regional universities North,” while its overall slot in that category is No. 15 for all institutions, public or private.

Bottom line: the Towson University rankings show a steady upward trend, and TU was ranked this high for the second-straight year.

Enrollment and Demographics

TU’s enrollment sits around 19,600 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students, making it one of the largest public universities in the Mid-Atlantic.

Roughly 46% of the student body identifies as students of color, and more than 2,000 are veteran students using GI Bill benefits. That commitment to inclusion and an 83% freshman-to-sophomore retention score gives TU an inclusive vibe without losing that “everyone knows everyone” feel.

Academics and Programs

Popular Majors and Strengths

Ask any applicant why they’re interested and you’ll hear about TU’s science, mathematics, health professions, business, and communication programs.

The ABET-accredited computer science major pairs classroom theory with Baltimore tech-scene co-ops, while the College of Education has 150 years of excellence under its belt.

Nursing students rave about the brand-new simulation center; budding artists praise the Maryland Center for the Arts right on campus.

Faculty and Class Sizes

A 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio means most classes run under 30 students; the occasional 300-seat lecture gets broken into seminars so a professor can personalize feedback.

Many instructors bring 10–30 years of experience in their fields, so discussions feel world-class rather than textbook. TU markets this as “learning that goes beyond the classroom,” and student reviews back that up.

Honors College and Special Programs

High-achieving Tigers can join the Honors College, which layers on undergraduate research, study-abroad scholarships, and a transformational “beyond Baltimore” speaker series.

TU also hosts Freshman Transition Programs, a nationally recognized Autism Initiative, and one-day pop-up classes that let you evaluate new interests without blowing up your schedule.

Campus Life and Student Experience

Housing and Dining

Roughly a quarter of TU undergrads bunk on campus across 19 residence halls and apartment complexes. A popular pick is West Village, where a double suite costs $4,968 per semester, plus a $350 non-refundable housing deposit.

Living-learning floors (STEM, Honors, Leadership) make it easy to find study buddies, while upper-class apartments offer full kitchens and in-unit laundry.

Meal plans are just as flexible: the commuter-friendly Block 25 gives you 25 swipes and 100 Dining Dollars for $400, and larger plans come with unlimited access to West Village Commons’ stir-fry station, kosher line, and the famed crab-cake Fridays.

Clubs, Organizations, and Greek Life

TU’s involvement hub boasts 250-plus student organizations—everything from a nationally ranked Marketing Club to an esports team that scrimmages other CAA schools. If none of those fit, the Fall Involvement Fair lets you start your own group and snag a free T-shirt while you’re at it.

Greek life remains lively but balanced: about 2,800 members (≈15 % of undergrads) spread across four councils, logging thousands of service hours and an all-Greek GPA north of 3.2.

Prefer something lighter? Service fraternities and professional societies provide the networking minus the traditional rush.

Safety and Campus Security

TU’s sworn police department keeps 24/7 patrols, and blue-light towers cover nearly every walkway.

Annual crime statistics land well below national campus averages, which feeds the community pride you notice on game day.

Athletics and School Spirit

NCAA Sports and Facilities

Competing in the Coastal Athletic Association, TU fields 19 Division I teams—football, men’s lacrosse, women’s gymnastics, you name it.

New turf fields and the SECU Arena give athletics a pro-level polish, and Tiger spirit bleeds into local bars long after the final buzzer.

Student Engagement and Pride

Towson’s school spirit peaks twice: Homecoming in October and TigerFest in April. Homecoming week layers pep rallies, mural contests, and a campus-wide “Show Your Stripes” day onto the Saturday football game, turning the quad into a sea of black-and-gold face paint.

Students swarm the bronze tiger outside Stephens Hall for good-luck selfies before kickoff—a photo ritual that’s become a rite of passage for grads in cap and gown. 

Spring semester brings TigerFest, a week of carnival rides, outdoor movies, and a 5,000-seat arena concert (2025’s headliners were JT and NLE Choppa) run entirely by the student-led Campus Activities Board.

The same week folds in Greek Week step shows and “Impact TU,” a day of community service that sends hundreds of volunteers into Baltimore-County parks and shelters—proof that Tiger pride isn’t just about shouting in the stands. 

Cost, Financial Aid, and Value

Tuition and Fees

For 2024-2025, tuition and fees run about $12,186 for in-state residents and $31,332 for out-of-state students.

Add housing, meals, and incidentals, and the sticker hits roughly $28,800 (MD) to $48,000 (OOS).

Scholarships and Aid Options

Roughly 73% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid—grants, scholarships, work-study, or loan packages.

TU doles out more than $32 million a year in institutional aid, which helps the school land on “bang for the buck” lists.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Median early-career earnings sit near $59,000, and 96% of 2023 grads were employed or in grad school within six months, according to the Towson University website.

Money magazine cites TU’s strong outcome metrics as further proof it offers world-class value at a public-school price.

Career Preparation and Outcomes

Internship Opportunities

Eight-in-ten seniors complete at least one internship—many with Fortune 500 outfits in Baltimore, D.C., or along the I-95 corridor.

It’s a hands-on pipeline that lets students test-drive careers in tech, finance, media, and health care.

Career Services and Job Placement

The Career Center hosts 400+ employers each year, and Handshake postings flood inboxes daily.

Resume boot camps, mock interviews, and gifting each alumnus lifetime access to career advising make the service feel transformational rather than transactional.

Alumni Network and Reputation

More than 165,000 Tigers roam the globe—many in regional powerhouses like T. Rowe Price and Johns Hopkins.

Hiring managers report that TU grads arrive job-ready and “don’t feel entitled”—a glowing review straight from Reddit lore.

What Students and Alumni Are Saying

Reviews and Testimonials

Scroll Niche’s profile and you’ll find 3,600-plus reviewers averaging 3.72/5 (a B+), with most saying professors “really care” and classes feel personal.

Alumni data echo that optimism: TU’s 2024 First Destination Survey reports roughly 90% of graduates employed or in grad school within six months, pulling an average starting salary of about $60,800.

Common Praise and Criticism

Students rave about friendly faculty, abundant campus events, and a Career Center that lines up internships early.

The recurring grumbles? Parking spots vanish fast, out-of-state tuition stings, and high-demand courses (nursing, psych) can fill quickly. Even so, most reviews frame those hassles as small trade-offs for a campus that keeps the Tiger spirit high all year. 

How Towson Compares to Other Schools

Compared to Other Maryland Public Universities

Versus College Park or UMBC, TU is smaller, less research-heavy, but excels in universities in social mobility and student-faculty connection. It consistently lands in the top-five ranked schools among Maryland’s state system for graduation rates and career placement.

Compared to Similar Mid-Sized Institutions

Stack TU against regional peers like Rowan or Montclair State, and you’ll see higher retention, stronger internship pipelines, and a top-ranked ROI.

Princeton Review even lists it among the “Best 387 Colleges” for student engagement—proof that the recognition extends beyond Maryland.

Buying Real Estate Near Towson University

Would Buying a Home Near the University Be a Good Investment?

Median listing price in Towson hit $515,000 in May 2025, up 2.5% year-over-year.

With steady rental demand from grad students and young professionals, a three-bedroom near York Road often cash-flows better than comparable Baltimore City row homes. The market isn’t bulletproof, but low days-on-market (about six) indicate healthy demand. 

If you want an investment you can monitor while grabbing lunch at the Student Union, Towson real estate checks that “live near your asset” box.

Final Verdict: Is Towson University a Good School?

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros: strong academic programs, high acceptance for internships, rising national recognition, stellar career outcome numbers, and tuition that still feels reasonable. Cons: parking headaches, occasional bureaucratic sprawl, and limited research funding compared to R1 giants.

Final Thoughts

If you’re hunting for a mid-sized, regional public that mixes world-class teaching with genuine community, TU delivers. It’s affordable, career-focused, and rooted in Maryland pride.

Whether you measure by graduation, earnings, or that intangible sense of transformational impact, Towson University earns its spot among America’s best colleges rankings—and the Tigers will gladly show you why.

Common FAQ's About Towson University

What’s Towson University’s acceptance rate, and what does the admissions team really want?

TU admits roughly four out of five applicants—an acceptance rate around the high-70s—so grades matter, but they’re reading for fit too. Honors and STEM hopefuls will need stronger GPAs, but Towson is test-optional, so a thoughtful essay and evidence of real-world involvement (sports, service, internships) can tip the scale for an eager applicant.

Is Towson University expensive for in-state students?

Not by Maryland standards. Tuition and fees land near $12K a year for residents—among the lower tags in the state system of public universities—while out-of-staters pay closer to $31K. Stack on institutional grants, merit awards, and federal financial aid, and many Tigers graduate with a lighter loan burden than peers at similarly ranked schools.

How safe is the campus and surrounding Towson neighborhood?

TU’s sworn police force patrols 24/7, blue-light kiosks pepper every walkway, and annual crime stats stay below national campus averages. Off campus, downtown Towson feels like a typical college-town strip—busy on game nights but generally walkable, with plenty of apartments and homes for sale in Towson if you’d rather buy than rent.

Do first-year students have to live on campus?

Housing isn’t mandatory, but most freshmen grab an on-campus suite to plug into campus life. West Village and the Towers fill fast, while commuters can still nab discounted parking passes. By junior year, many students hop into nearby garden apartments—or buy a condo if Mom and Dad like the long-term investment angle.

What kind of jobs do Towson graduates land, and how quickly?

TU’s 2024 First Destination survey shows about 90 % of graduates working or in grad school within six months, pulling a median starting salary near $60K. Health sciences, business analytics, and computer science majors report some of the highest early-career earnings, reinforcing why Towson keeps showing up in “best colleges for ROI” write-ups and national college rankings lists.