McDaniel College
Location: Knoxville, TN
TuitionFee: $12,600/year
Accreditation: SACSCOC
School Type: Private Non-Profit
Enrollment Windows: May/Jun/Aug/Sep/Jan/Mar
Onsite Frequency: 1/semester, 3 days every visit
CPT Renew Frequency: Update 1 time per semester
CPT Programs: EMBA, MSBA (STEM), MSPM
Location: Westminster, MD
TuitionFee: $8,500 - $11,000/year
Accreditation: MSCHE
School Type: Private Non-Profit
Enrollment Windows: May/Aug/Jan
Onsite Frequency: 1/semester
CPT Renew Frequency: Update 1 time per semester
CPT Programs: MSDA (STEM)
McDaniel College Overview
McDaniel College, established in 1867, is a culturally rich, non-profit liberal arts college located on a picturesque 160-acre campus in Westminster, Maryland, near Baltimore and Washington, D.C. As a nationally recognized institution of higher education, McDaniel College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with its accreditation reaffirmed on November 6, 2023, following an extensive self-study process. The college has held MSCHE accreditation since 1922 and is authorized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
With a student body of nearly 3,000 students—58% undergraduates and 42% graduates—McDaniel College is committed to providing a transformative liberal arts education. The college emphasizes affordable tuition, high-quality education, and practical academic programs, making it one of the most valuable and impactful higher education institutions in the United States.
McDaniel College is known for its small class sizes and high-quality teaching, maintaining a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 with an average class size of 15 students. This approach ensures personalized attention and a supportive learning environment, fostering student success both academically and professionally.
The college's reputation is reflected in its rankings:
- Ranked #1 as U.S. News Most Valuable College in the North.
- Ranked #31 among U.S. News Top Northern Colleges and Universities.
- Ranked #381 in Princeton Review's Best Colleges in the Nation.
- Ranked #1 by Ed Smart in the Top 25 Best Colleges in Maryland.
McDaniel College’s dedication to comprehensive liberal arts education and its significant contributions to the academic and personal growth of its students make it a powerful and transformative institution in the higher education landscape.
Policies & Tuition
- Academic Policy
- CPT Policy
- Onsite Policy
- Vacation Policy
- Tuition and Scholarship
Academic Policy
- The MS in Data Analytics program at McDaniel College spans two academic years, divided into 3 semesters each year (Fall, Spring, and Summer), with the option to take 1 summer semester off after completing 2 semesters. Students can also finish the program in 5 semesters.
- Students are required to enroll in 2 courses (6 credits) per semester, and the coursework is delivered through hybrid instruction.
CPT Policy
- The Data Analytics program requires students to actively participate in practical training. If you attend the program without a current job, you are required to enroll in a 0-credit practicum course each semester, co-designed by the student and a mentor. If you choose the latter way, you will need to submit an Experiential Requirement Optional Form.
- CPT Application:
- CPT application form;
- an officially signed offer letter or a detailed job description;
- completed and signed Cooperative Practical Training Agreement.
- CPT must be renewed each academic year.
Onsite Policy
-
On-site classes are held once per semester (Friday to Sunday). The remaining coursework can be completed online.
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Location: Westminster, Maryland – convenient for travel.
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Proximity to major cities: 40 minutes to Baltimore by driving, 70 minutes to Washington D.C., 3.5 hours to New York City.
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Close to Baltimore International Airport (40 minutes).
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Students are recommended to arrive the night before the on-site session, as the Friday class begins at 8 am.
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McDaniel College will arrange for hotel rooms for students for each residency date at a discounted rate. Students are responsible for booking their rooms. Instructions will be provided by the school.
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Lunches are covered during each residency date.
Vacation Policy
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Students have the option to take a break for one summer trimester after finishing three consecutive trimesters.
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During this break, they are also eligible to engage in full-time CPT employment.
Tuition and Scholarship
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Tuition Fee
Programs |
Cost/Credit |
Credits |
Total tuition fees (including CPT) |
Average annual tuition (2 years with 1 semester off) |
MS Data Analytics |
$689 |
30 |
$20,670 |
$10,335 |
- Other Fees:
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Administrative Fee: $105 per semester.
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Residency Fee for on-site classes (mandatory for international students): $204.
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Practicum Fee: $204.
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No extra fees for CPT.
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*GoElite is official enrollment representative for Saint Peter's University. Contact us for scholarship application information.
Day 1 CPT Programs
Master's programs:
- Requires completion of 30 credits;
- Students typically enroll in two courses (6 credits) per semester, completing the program in 5 semesters.
- There is an option to take one semester off, which will take 24 months to complete the program. By attending the program, students can gain 2-3 more opportunities for the H1B visa lottery.
This Professional MS program in Data Analytics is crafted to ensure professional success. Its courses are designed to enhances critical thinking and broadens students' perspectives, incorporate a deep understanding of industry to help students stand out professionally. The program allows F-1 students to start Curricular Practical Training (CPT) immediately. As a STEM program, it can provide a 24-month STEM OPT Extension.
*Note: Full-time CPT exceeding 12 months during the program will disqualify students from OPT eligibility.
Students must complete 9 core courses:
- ANA 500 - Foundations of Data Analytics
- ANA 505 - Data Mining: Algorithms and Applications
- ANA 510 - Statistical Methods for Data Science and Analytics
- ANA 515 - Fundamentals of Data Storage, Cleaning and Retrieval
- ANA 522 - Fundamentals of Programming in Python
- ANA 525 - Qualitative Methods
- ANA 530 - Quantitative Reporting and Modeling
- ANA 535 - Forecasting and Proscriptive Methods
- ANA 540 - Advanced Data Analytics
Students must complete one of the following two courses:
- ANA 544 - Independent Study in Data Analytics
- ANA 555 - Practicum in Applied Analytics, Data Communication & Ethics
Enrollment Windows
Terms | Semester Start Date | Application Deadline | CPT Start Date |
---|---|---|---|
Fall1 | 9/3/2024 | 8/1/2024 | 9/3/2024 |
Winter1 | 11/25/2024 | 10/1/2024 | 11/25/2024 |
Spring1 | 3/3/2025 | 2/1/2025 | 3/3/2025 |
Summer1 | 5/20/2025 | 4/1/2025 | 5/20/2025 |
Summer1 | 7/1/2025 | 6/1/2025 | 7/1/2025 |
- Initial F1 Students: 3 months before the first day of the term.
- If you missed the deadline, please get in touch with us. We are McDaniel College's official recruitment partner and can help you accelerate your application.
Application
1. Start the Application: Fill out the contact form below.
- Receive the online application form and the application package (including language requirements, recommendation letters, and GMAT/GRE waiver).
2. Materials required to apply: Follow the email guidelines to complete the online application form
- All academic transcripts (overseas transcripts need to be certified by WES or ECE transcript)
- Resume
- A letter of professional or academic recommendation
- A copy of your current visa
- A copy of passport with photo
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English scores (The English requirements can be waived if you hold a U.S. degree):
- TOEFL 80+
- IELTS 6.0+
- Duolingo 110+
- Bank Statement: $25,000
3. Wait for your result and once you are admitted, you can start to enroll
After you receive your acceptance letter, you should confirm the SEVIS transfer time with the International Student Office of your original school, and fill out the SEVIS transfer form to transfer your SEVIS from your original school to McDaniel College.
Other Day 1 CPT Schools
West Coast
East Coast
- Monroe College
- Saint Peter's University
- McDaniel College
- New England College
- National Louis University
Midwest & South
Editor
Lexi Wu
Possesses extensive cross-cultural work experience across multiple countries, with a strong background in product planning, marketing, and data analysis. Skilled in technical writing and trend analysis, currently serving as a Product Marketing Manager at GoElite.
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