Boston University (BU) vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Boston University and University of Maryland-College Park, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct academic experiences and vibrant campus life. Boston University, nestled in the heart of Boston, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a more diverse student body, while University of Maryland-College Park, situated just outside Washington, D.C., offers a larger student population and a higher graduation rate. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, cost of attendance, and notable alumni, to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Boston University	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Boston, Massachusetts	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	18.6%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1360 - 1520	1330 - 1510
ACT range	31 - 34	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	75,778	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	14,129	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,011	6,072
Yield rate	28.4%	23.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$79,606	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$25,852	$17,146
Tuition	$58,560	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,990 Meal plan: $5,850	Room/dormitory: $8,072 Meal plan: $5,578
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	53.0% Average amount $50,486	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $4,317	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $25,248	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,229 Men 42.3% Women 57.7%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	17,875 Men 42.5% Women 57.5%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	29.5%
International students	26.6%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,356	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Computer and Information Science Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	89.4%	87.7%
Dropout rate	10.3%	4.0%
Transferred out	N/A	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,398 Year 2: $125,611 Year 3: $147,490 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,318 Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $142,427 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,155 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $117,665 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,383 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $115,901 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,027 Year 2: $106,688 Year 3: $113,743 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,380 Year 2: $102,306 Year 3: $111,308 Insurance (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,170 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $108,260 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $108,069 Year 2: $92,743 Year 3: $106,517 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,263 Year 2: $96,829 Year 3: $104,284 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,137 Year 2: $83,848 Year 3: $99,636	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,765 Year 2: $106,102 Year 3: $116,295 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $125,155 Year 2: $112,923 Year 3: $112,074 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,533 Year 2: $94,112 Year 3: $102,555 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,018 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $101,716 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,727 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $99,501 Physics (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $72,899 Year 3: $92,830 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,418 Year 2: $80,466 Year 3: $92,230 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,675 Year 2: $72,762 Year 3: $83,667 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,798 Year 2: $71,761 Year 3: $82,867 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,391 Year 2: $66,485 Year 3: $82,784

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Boston University (BU) and the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)?

Boston University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, offering a vibrant urban experience. The University of Maryland-College Park is a public research university situated in College Park, Maryland, near Washington, D.C., providing a more traditional college campus environment. BU is known for its strong professional programs and global focus, while UMD excels in STEM fields and has strong ties to government agencies.
How do the locations of BU and UMD impact student life?

BU's location in Boston offers students access to a wide array of cultural attractions, internships, and job opportunities in various industries. UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C., provides similar opportunities, particularly in government, policy, and research. BU students experience a more integrated urban lifestyle, while UMD students enjoy a more self-contained campus environment with a strong sense of community.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

Boston University generally has a lower acceptance rate than the University of Maryland-College Park, making it slightly more selective. However, both universities are highly competitive and seek academically strong students with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
How do the costs of attending BU and UMD compare?

As a private institution, Boston University's tuition is significantly higher than that of the University of Maryland-College Park, especially for out-of-state students. UMD offers more affordable tuition rates for Maryland residents. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships to eligible students, so it's important to explore those options.
What are the strengths of BU and UMD in terms of academic programs?

Boston University is renowned for its programs in communication, journalism, business, and international relations. The University of Maryland-College Park is highly regarded for its programs in engineering, computer science, public policy, and business. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.
How do the campus cultures differ between BU and UMD?

BU's campus culture is characterized by its urban setting and a diverse student body with a global perspective. UMD's campus culture is more traditional, with a strong emphasis on school spirit, athletics, and campus traditions. Both universities offer a wide range of student organizations and activities to cater to diverse interests.
What are the athletic programs like at BU and UMD?

The University of Maryland-College Park is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in football and basketball. Boston University competes in the Patriot League and has a strong hockey program. Both universities offer a variety of varsity and intramural sports for students to participate in.
What kind of research opportunities are available at BU and UMD?

Both Boston University and the University of Maryland-College Park are major research universities with extensive research facilities and funding. BU has strong research programs in areas such as biomedical engineering, photonics, and neuroscience. UMD excels in research areas such as cybersecurity, quantum physics, and climate science. Students at both universities have opportunities to participate in research projects with faculty members.
How do BU and UMD support career development and job placement?

Both Boston University and the University of Maryland-College Park offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, internship opportunities, and job fairs. BU's location in Boston provides access to a wide range of internships and job opportunities in various industries. UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C., offers similar opportunities, particularly in government, policy, and technology.
What is the student-faculty ratio like at BU and UMD?

Boston University generally has a lower student-faculty ratio than the University of Maryland-College Park, which can lead to smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from professors. However, both universities are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and access to experienced faculty members.

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