Choosing the right college or university is a critical decision for many students, and making this decision often requires comparing institutions across various factors. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of McDaniel College and Houghton College, covering factors such as costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes.
McDaniel College Overview
McDaniel College is a private liberal arts school located in Westminster, Maryland. Founded in 1867, McDaniel offers a variety of undergraduate programs, as well as graduate programs in education, counseling, and data analytics. The college is known for its emphasis on experiential learning through internships, study abroad programs, and research opportunities.
McDaniel College Costs & Tuition
Tuition at McDaniel College for the 2021-2022 academic year is $44,540, with room and board costing an additional $12,430. The college offers both need-based and merit-based financial aid, with over 90% of students receiving some form of assistance.
McDaniel College Admissions
McDaniel College has a rolling admissions policy, meaning that applications are accepted and reviewed throughout the year. The college has a 74% acceptance rate, and the middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range between 1050 and 1250, and an ACT range between 21 and 28.
McDaniel College Degrees Offered
McDaniel College offers over 40 undergraduate majors and 60 minors, as well as 20 graduate programs. Some popular majors include business administration, education, psychology, and biology. The school also offers pre-professional programs in areas such as pre-law and pre-medicine.
McDaniel College Academics
McDaniel College is known for its student-centered approach to education, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 17 students. The college emphasizes experiential learning through internships, research opportunities, and global experiences. In addition to traditional majors and minors, McDaniel offers a self-designed major program, allowing students to create a customized course of study.
McDaniel College Diversity
McDaniel College is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. Approximately 35% of undergraduate students identify as students of color, with representation from over 30 countries. The college offers various resources and organizations to support multicultural students, including the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Center for Experience and Opportunity, and various cultural clubs.
McDaniel College Students
Students at McDaniel College enjoy a vibrant campus life, with over 100 clubs and organizations available for involvement. The college offers opportunities for leadership development, community service, and social engagement through various student-run organizations, including Student Government, Greek life, and special interest clubs.
McDaniel College Campus
The McDaniel College campus spans 160 acres and features a mix of historic and modern buildings. The campus offers a variety of residence halls, dining options, and recreational facilities, including an athletic center, performing arts center, and a 6,000-seat stadium.
McDaniel College Alumni
Notable alumni of McDaniel College include Newbery Medal-winning author Laura Amy Schlitz, Maryland State Senator Susan Lee, and former White House Black Market President Donna Noce.
McDaniel College Rankings
McDaniel College is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The college has also been recognized for its commitment to service-learning and community engagement by the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
McDaniel College Outcomes
McDaniel College reports a 94% career outcome rate for its graduates, with 82% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The college offers extensive career services support, including individualized career counseling, workshops, and networking events.
Houghton College Overview
Houghton College is a private Christian liberal arts college located in Houghton, New York. The college was founded in 1883 by the Wesleyan Church and has since expanded to offer more than 40 majors and pre-professional programs. Houghton is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and is known for its strong emphasis on faith, service, and community.
Houghton College Costs & Tuition
Tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year at Houghton College is $33,920, with room and board costs averaging an additional $10,216. The college offers financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, with 99% of students receiving some form of assistance.
Houghton College Admissions
Admissions at Houghton College are competitive, with an acceptance rate of 67%. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range between 1080 and 1310, and an ACT range between 22 and 29. In addition to academic achievements, the college also considers an applicant’s extracurricular involvement and commitment to Christian values.
Houghton College Degrees Offered
Houghton College offers over 40 undergraduate majors, as well as several graduate programs in areas such as music, education, and data science. Popular majors at Houghton include business administration, education, psychology, and biology.
Houghton College Academics
Houghton College has a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between students and faculty. In addition to traditional academic programs, Houghton offers off-campus study programs, internships, and research opportunities to enrich students’ learning experiences.
Houghton College Diversity
Houghton College is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. Approximately 20% of undergraduate students identify as students of color, and the college has representation from over 30 countries. Houghton offers several resources and organizations to support multicultural students, including the Office of Intercultural Affairs and various cultural clubs.
Houghton College Students
Student life at Houghton College is centered around faith and community. The college offers over 40 clubs and organizations, including campus ministries, service organizations, and cultural clubs. Students also have opportunities for leadership development and spiritual growth through weekly chapel services and small group Bible studies.
Houghton College Campus
The Houghton College campus spans 1,300 acres in rural western New York, offering a picturesque and peaceful setting for students. Campus facilities include multiple residence halls, a recently renovated library, a fully-equipped athletic complex, a fine arts center, and numerous outdoor recreational areas.
Houghton College Alumni
Notable alumni of Houghton College include Grammy-nominated composer and conductor Dr. Eric Whitacre, bestselling author Dr. Jerry Bridges, and former U.S. Congressman John M. McHugh.
Houghton College Rankings
Houghton College is consistently ranked among the top Christian colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and has been recognized for its strong commitment to service-learning and community engagement.
Houghton College Outcomes
Houghton College reports a 94% career outcome rate for its graduates, with 91% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The college offers extensive career services support, including career counseling, workshops, and networking events.
McDaniel College vs Houghton College Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending McDaniel College and Houghton College, it is important to consider both tuition and room and board expenses. McDaniel’s tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year is $44,540, while Houghton’s tuition is $33,920. Room and board costs at McDaniel are $12,430, whereas at Houghton, they average $10,216.
While the overall cost of attending McDaniel College is higher than Houghton College, it is essential to factor in the financial aid opportunities available at both institutions. Both McDaniel and Houghton offer need-based and merit-based aid, with a significant percentage of students at both schools receiving financial assistance.
McDaniel College vs Houghton College Admissions Difficulty
Admissions at both McDaniel College and Houghton College are moderately competitive. McDaniel has a 74% acceptance rate, and the middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range between 1050 and 1250, and an ACT range between 21 and 28. Houghton’s acceptance rate is slightly lower, at 67%, and the middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range between 1080 and 1310, and an ACT range between 22 and 29.
In addition to test scores and GPA, both colleges consider applicants’ extracurricular involvement and personal qualities. Houghton, as a Christian college, places a strong emphasis on an applicant’s commitment to Christian values during the admissions process.
McDaniel College vs Houghton College Academic Difficulty
Both McDaniel College and Houghton College offer challenging academic environments for their students, with small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 at both institutions. This allows for personalized attention from faculty and opportunities for students to engage in in-depth discussions and develop close relationships with professors.
The academic difficulty at each college may vary depending on the specific program or major chosen, but both institutions are committed to providing a rigorous and engaging educational experience for their students.
McDaniel College vs Houghton College Outcome Comparison
Both McDaniel College and Houghton College report a 94% career outcome rate for their graduates, indicating that the vast majority of alumni from both institutions find success in their chosen fields or pursue further education within six months of graduation.
While both schools offer extensive career services support, including individualized career counseling, workshops, and networking events, the specific career outcomes may vary depending on factors such as major, location, and individual goals. Prospective students should consider their specific career goals and research the resources and opportunities available at each institution when making their decision.
