Towson University
Towson University is a public university in Towson, Maryland, with approximately 16,500 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. Founded in 1866, Towson admits approximately 80% of applicants in a typical year. The University has a strong College of Education and produces more teachers than any other school in Maryland—one in three Maryland teachers is a Towson graduate. The average class size is 24, with the majority of classes having 30 or fewer students. More than 80% of students have mentors, and the campus itself includes an arboretum as well as a full-floor simulation hospital and a digital cadaver lab for students in the College of Health Professions. The College of Business & Economics, the College of Fine Arts & Communication, the College of Liberal Arts, the Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science & Mathematics and the Honors College round out the University.
Towson places a strong emphasis on student success and hands-on learning. About 90% of students participate in study abroad, internships or other experiential opportunities. The Tigers Success Program provides additional support for students who may be at academic risk, including academic coaching and a one-credit Tiger Success 101 course. Students also have access to science-specific tutoring and drop-in academic support. Some programs, including dual health programs and psychology, have additional interviews as part of the admissions process. Towson is also looking to expand its graduate programs and encourage more undergraduate students to pursue additional degrees at Towson.
Towson is a major transfer destination, welcoming more than 2,000 transfer students each year. The University is hoping to increase its out-of-state enrollment and is continuing to grow overall. More than 90% of students return after their first year, and 70% graduate within six years. Towson's admissions standards do not change from one round to another, so changes in the admission rate reflect the makeup of each year's applicant pool. Competitive scholarships of approximately $12,000–$14,000 are available to undergraduates from contiguous states, with some scholarships also offered to students from farther away.
Towson is committed to making the university accessible to a broad range of students. About 40% receive Pell Grants. The University is focused on need-based financial aid, while also offering merit scholarships—54% of students are offered merit aid. Towson also has the lowest student loan debt of any public university in Maryland. More than half of Towson students in recent years identify as non-white. Academic accommodations are described as accessible and helpful, and Towson emphasizes being welcoming and inclusive to LGBTQ students. The campus has also been rated among the top 40 campuses for Jewish students by Hillel.
Admissions are major-blind, with the exception of BFA programs in the arts, theatre, music and dance, which require an audition or portfolio. Submitting standardized test scores is optional—instead, Maryland public universities place significant weight on GPA. Towson has a "no harm" policy for students who do submit scores, which was only 19% of applicants last year. The Honors College requires an application essay and meeting the Early Action deadline, and students receive additional scholarships, exclusive first-year housing and priority registration. Letters of recommendation are optional for Honors College candidates.
Student life at Towson offers plenty of opportunities to get involved. The Tigers compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with lacrosse among the University's most successful programs. Towson's dance team has also won national championships. There are also about a dozen fraternities and sororities on campus. First-year students are guaranteed housing, with some housing available for upperclass students as well. When students move off campus, they often choose apartments in nearby neighborhoods. Towson’s campus also boasts several Tiger statues and murals which make great selfie spots!
Fun Fact:
Towson uses goats as lawn mowers—The University partners with a local farm to bring goats to campus twice a year to eat invasive plants and clear the way for student volunteers to plant trees. It’s a beloved tradition and students stop by to watch the herd work!
Notable Alumni:
Amy Schumer – Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, writer, and producer known for Inside Amy Schumer, Trainwreck and I Feel Pretty
Mike Rowe – Television host, narrator, and producer known for Dirty Jobs and Somebody’s Gotta Do It, and founder of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation
Kevin Clash – Emmy Award-winning puppeteer, producer, and director best known for portraying Elmo on Sesame Street
Sheila Dixon – Former mayor of Baltimore and the first woman to serve as president of the Baltimore City Council
Jermon Bushrod – Former NFL offensive tackle, Super Bowl champion with the New Orleans Saints
Stacy Keibler – Actress, model, and former professional wrestler with WWE and WCW, appeared on Dancing with the Stars
Mike Flanagan – Emmy-nominated filmmaker, writer, and director known for The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher
Mike Locksley – Head Coach of the University of Maryland Terrapins football team
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