McDaniel College
Westminster, Maryland · Private Nonprofit · 77.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 61/100 · Fair Value
McDaniel College scores 61 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. The 63.3% completion rate is adequate but not strong, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.687 reflects a private institution where sticker tuition of $52,081 is discounted to a $21,916 net price — still significant against $36,400 median 6-year earnings. The 8.9-year payback period is moderate for a small private liberal arts college. Repayment rate of 83.5% at three years is reasonable. Median debt of $25,000 is the product of four years at $21,916 net price with typical borrowing patterns. SAT and ACT data are not reported by the Scorecard for McDaniel, limiting academic benchmark visibility. The program mix is narrow given the small enrollment (1,617 students): Accounting (19 graduates, $65,941 year one, $93,347 at four years, B-grade ROI) and Business Administration (50 graduates, $59,048 year one, $78,830 at four years, B-grade ROI) are the clearest positive outcomes. Psychology (50 graduates, $60,264 at four years, B-grade ROI) shows a favorable four-year figure though year-one is not reported. Kinesiology (40 graduates, $38,122 year one), Sociology (15 graduates, $37,728 year one), Biology (24 graduates, $33,241 year one), and Communication (17 graduates, $32,402 year one) all post C-to-D-grade ROIs. McDaniel is a small liberal arts college in Westminster, Maryland, 30 miles from Baltimore — a location with proximity to Maryland state government, federal agencies, and Baltimore corporate employers that moderates outcomes for business and social science graduates.
McDaniel College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $52,081/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $52,081/yr |
| Average net price | $21,916/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $87,664 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,663 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 63.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,617 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at McDaniel College is $52,081/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,916/year, or roughly $87,664 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,210/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,694/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $265 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $60,663 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,210 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,261 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,796 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,408 |
| $110,001+ | $30,694 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $12,210 per year at McDaniel — a meaningful aid discount from the $52,081 sticker. Four-year total of roughly $48,840 against $36,400 median earnings produces an 8.9-year payback at the institutional level. Low-income students who enter accounting or business and complete their degree can achieve positive returns. The 63.3% completion rate means one-third of enrolled students do not finish, which is a real risk for low-income students with fewer financial buffers.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $19,796 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $21,408. Middle-income families paying near $21,000 per year for a school with $36,400 median earnings should carefully select programs with clear career pathways. Accounting and business graduates at these net prices can achieve defensible ROI; humanities and social sciences graduates face meaningful financial pressure.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $30,694 per year at McDaniel — roughly $123,000 over four years. At an 8.9-year payback and $36,400 median earnings, the full-pay case is weak for most programs. The small liberal arts experience has genuine qualitative value, but families paying near sticker should have explicit conversations about career outcomes and how the Westminster location and small alumni network support specific career goals.
Earnings by Major
Top 9 most popular majors at McDaniel College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $60,264 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $78,830 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,185 | C |
| Biology | $51,307 | C |
| Accounting | $93,347 | B |
| Social Work | $47,607 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $65,411 | D |
| Sociology | $55,851 | C |
| English Language and Literature | $35,793 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Accounting
Accounting (19 graduates) is McDaniel's strongest program: $65,941 year one, $93,347 at four years, B-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.367, median debt $24,210). Maryland's proximity to Baltimore and D.C. financial and government contracting sectors creates real placement pathways for accounting graduates. The four-year trajectory to $93,347 reflects senior accounting and CPA-track progression. The cohort of 19 is small, limiting statistical stability, but directional outcomes are strong.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (50 graduates) earns $59,048 year one and $78,830 at four years — B-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.423, median debt $25,000). The four-year figure reflects advancement into management, marketing, and operations roles in the Baltimore-D.C. corridor. This is the most volume-stable strong-outcome program at McDaniel. Students with business career intentions have a functional path from this campus, though they should compare against larger Maryland public options on cost.
Psychology
Psychology (50 graduates) reaches $60,264 at four years — B-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.426, median debt $25,662). Scorecard does not report year-one earnings for this cohort. The four-year figure is higher than many comparable institutions and may reflect a concentration of graduates who entered graduate programs and are reporting higher post-training earnings. Absent year-one data, the interpretation requires caution. Students should probe career placement directly with the college.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology (40 graduates) earns $38,122 year one and $50,185 at four years — C-grade ROI (debt-to-earnings 0.674, median debt $25,697). These outcomes reflect typical physical fitness, coaching, and personal training roles plus students pursuing graduate health programs. The moderate debt-to-earnings ratio is sustainable on a cash-flow basis but reflects meaningful financial pressure relative to the $21,916 net price. Graduate education in physical therapy or occupational therapy adds cost that Scorecard data does not capture.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 79.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 88.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.9% |
| Enrollment | 1,617 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,473 |
At 77.9%, McDaniel is broadly accessible. Scorecard does not report test score ranges, limiting benchmark guidance. The 63.3% completion rate is adequate but means roughly one-third of enrolled students do not earn a degree. Students should consider whether the small campus environment and Westminster location align with their career plans and what completion support the college offers.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
McDaniel's Scorecard peer schools include Capitol Technology University (MD), Washington Adventist University (MD), Willamette University (OR), University of Evansville (IN), and St. Francis College (NY). Willamette (ROI approximately 68) and University of Evansville (ROI approximately 63) are the most comparable small private liberal arts colleges. McDaniel's 61 score is in line with these peers — all face the same tension between private-college pricing and regional liberal arts earnings. McDaniel's proximity to Baltimore and D.C. employment markets provides a geographic advantage over Willamette (Portland) and Evansville (Indiana) for government and financial sector placement.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDaniel College (this school) | 61 | $21,916 | $60,663 |
| Capitol Technology University | 79 | $22,102 | $85,035 |
| Willamette University | 59 | $25,121 | $56,911 |
| University of Evansville | 58 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| St. Francis College | 57 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| Washington Adventist University | 55 | $18,526 | $64,249 |
Who Thrives Here
McDaniel admits 77.9% of applicants. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT ranges. Enrollment of 1,617 is small. Pell rate of 36.1% reflects significant financial need representation. The small campus creates close faculty relationships and a tight community — the primary value proposition for many students. Students attracted to the small liberal arts experience, close faculty mentorship, and proximity to Baltimore and Washington D.C. have a path to solid outcomes in business and accounting. Students in arts, social sciences, or general liberal arts face a less favorable financial case at the $21,916 net price.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
McDaniel College offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $21,916 per year leads to $87,664 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $60,663 a decade out. The payback period of 8.9 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $25,000 against $60,663 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.