Towson University: Rankings, Programs, and Opportunities
Towson University (TU), founded in 1866, stands as Maryland's university of opportunities, a public institution committed to inclusive excellence, social mobility, research, and discovery. Located just north of Baltimore, it is the second-largest institution in Maryland’s state university system. With a suburban setting on a 329-acre campus, Towson University offers a wide array of programs and opportunities, contributing to its consistent recognition in national rankings. The university is striving to achieve R2-Doctoral status from the Carnegie Classification by 2027, investing over $14 million to advance its research efforts.
Recent Rankings and Recognition
Towson University has garnered significant recognition from various publications and ranking organizations. The Wall Street Journal ranked TU as the No. 15 public university in the country.
- Wall Street Journal: No. 15 among public universities nationally.
- Washington Monthly: No. 1 "Best Bang for the Buck" among Maryland's public universities and No. 40 in the nation. Earlier this year, Washington Monthly named TU the No. 1 in North America. In addition, Washington Monthly listed TU as the No. in the Northeast region.
- Forbes: Named the second-best public university in Maryland and No. in Forbes’ annual “America’s Top Colleges” rankings.
- U.S. News & World Report (2026 Edition): No. 11 in Regional Universities North and No. 3 in Top Public Schools.
- Poets & Quants: The College of Business & Economics has remained the 26th-best overall public program in the nation for the second-straight year.
These rankings reflect TU's commitment to providing high-quality education, fostering student success, and offering value for its students' investment. President Mark R. said that Towson University is the very best, not just in our state, but in the nation.
Academics and Programs
Towson University offers more than 60 majors, with popular programs in business, nursing, and communications. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary research, working to achieve the R2-Doctoral status from the Carnegie Classification by 2027, and investing over $14 million to advance its research efforts.
- Undergraduate Programs: Students can choose from a diverse range of academic disciplines.
- Graduate Programs: U.S. News & World Report named two TU graduate programs in its 2024 Best Online Graduate Programs rankings. TU’s online graduate education program was named No. No. technology program ranked No.
- Research Opportunities: Students in any department can participate in undergraduate research and sponsored creative projects. The university encourages interdisciplinary research.
The Fisher College of Science & Mathematics, the top-rated master’s in applied information technology (AIT) - ranked No. forensics and information security.
Read also: A Look at Towson Football
Campus Life and Student Engagement
Towson University hosts nearly 300 campus organizations, ranging from student-run media and publications to Greek life chapters. The Towson University Tigers fields 19 varsity teams comprising more than 500 student-athletes who compete at the Division I level. Students participate in a variety of annual community service events on campus, including The Big Event, a day when students, faculty, staff and alumni all work together in different community service programs.
Peer education programs exist for Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs; Anxiety and Depression (Healthy and Diverse Minds Peer Ed program, Sexual Health, Sexual Assault Prevention, and NeuroDiverse students. This is currently being developed.
Towson offers “plenty of … ways to get involved on campus, both academically and socially.” These can range from quirky events like “petting goats [or] Carnival-like games at the library” to things you might expect like “talent shows, dance shows, football games, [and] plays.” For those who live on campus, “there are a ton of really unique floor events and building events,” like “DIYs … and game nights.” But whether they live on campus or not, students tend to “fill their days with class, and the gym is very popular in the evening.” When Friday rolls around, “some students will spend their weekend relaxing as well as completing some homework,” whereas others will head to the bars and “the abundance of restaurants in Uptown Towson.” Other pastimes in town include going to the Towson Mall, which “is right up the street from campus [and] is also a popular hangout spot.” Those looking for more outdoorsy things to do can rest easy. Washington, D.C.
Admissions and Financial Aid
Towson University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. The school's in-state tuition and fees are $12,186; out-of-state tuition and fees are $31,332. Fifty-six percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $14,151. The four-year graduation rate is 47%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $54,302.
The student-faculty ratio at Towson University is 14:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
Read also: A Look at Towson's Athletic Legacy
Diversity and Inclusion
“Diverse and inclusive” Towson consists of “mostly in-state and commuting students.” But the school is large, which means there’s quite a range in the student body. TU has been recognized by Insight into Diversity with a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for five consecutive years dating back to 2020.
Location and Accessibility
Located just eight miles outside of Baltimore, Towson University is easily accessible.
- Address: Charles S.
- Directions:
- From I-95 (northbound and southbound): Take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 west (toward Towson). Take exit 25 (Charles Street) south. Proceed 1.7 miles. Turn left on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the second traffic light on Osler Drive.
- From I-83 (northbound and southbound): Take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 east (toward Towson). Take exit 25 (Charles Street) south. Proceed 1.7 miles. Turn left on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the second traffic light on Osler Drive.
- From I-70 (eastbound): Take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 north (toward Towson). Take exit 25 (Charles Street) south. Proceed 1.7 miles. Turn left on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the second traffic light on Osler Drive.
- From Baltimore (Penn Station): Proceed north on Charles Street for five miles. Turn right on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the second traffic light on Osler Drive.
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