Westminster, MD · Private University
Is McDaniel College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$60,663
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$49,647
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$49,647
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$198,588
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.22x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
7.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$20,923
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
McDaniel College graduates earn $15,663 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at McDaniel College ranked by graduate earnings
20 graduates
66 graduates
27 graduates
31 graduates
22 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at McDaniel College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At McDaniel College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $74,227) and the lowest (Health and Physical Education/Fitness: $39,339) is $34,888/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $74,227 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,755 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $53,319 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,022 | 1.0x |
| Biology, General | $47,842 | 1.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,561 | 0.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/FitnessLowest | $39,339 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
McDaniel College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $60,663 10 years after starting, $15,663 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 7.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.