McDaniel College is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Westminster, Maryland with 1,617 undergraduates. It admits 78% of applicants, costs an average of $22,980 a year after grants and graduates 56% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
McDaniel College acceptance rate and admissions
McDaniel College admitted 78% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
McDaniel College application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early decision | Nov 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Early action | Nov 15, 2026 |
| Early action II | Dec 15, 2026 |
| Regular decision | Feb 1, 2027 |
Next deadline: Early action, Nov 15, 2026. Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on McDaniel College’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
McDaniel College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $54,125 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $13,424 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $68,105 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $22,980 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $22,980 a year after grants and scholarships, $45,125 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run McDaniel College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
McDaniel College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 56% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $62,070 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $23,850 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 38% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
McDaniel College majors and what graduates earn
McDaniel College awarded bachelor's degrees in 33 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from accounting ($93,347).
All 33 majors at McDaniel College
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at McDaniel College
13 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 13 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's | 70 | $69,376 | n/a |
| Business analytics and operations research | Master's | 53 | n/a | n/a |
| School counseling and student services | Master's | 38 | $57,706 | $47,832 |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 37 | $64,336 | n/a |
| Special education | Master's | 27 | n/a | $46,738 |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 21 | $58,555 | n/a |
| Education leadership | Master's | 16 | n/a | n/a |
| Teaching English as a second language | Master's | 11 | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
| Human resources | Master's | 6 | n/a | n/a |
| Gerontology | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Human services | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Public administration | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 1,617 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 56% women, 44% men
- 13 students for every faculty member
- Setting: town near a city
- Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at McDaniel College?
McDaniel College admitted 78% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does McDaniel College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $54,125. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $22,980 a year in 2024-25.
Is McDaniel College test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, McDaniel College reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at McDaniel College?
56% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do McDaniel College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $62,070 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Maryland · McDaniel College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.