Brown University vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Brown University and University of Maryland-College Park, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Brown, an Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 7.1%. UMD, situated in College Park, Maryland, is a large public research university with a more accessible acceptance rate of 43.4%. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs, Brown is known for its strengths in the social sciences, humanities, and engineering, while UMD excels in engineering, computer science, and business. The student bodies at these universities also differ, with Brown having a smaller undergraduate population of around 6,700 students compared to UMD's 27,000 undergraduates. Additionally, Brown's graduation rate is slightly higher at 96% compared to UMD's 88%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences between these two exceptional

	Brown University	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Providence, Rhode Island	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	98.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	5.5%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1460 - 1570	1330 - 1510
ACT range	33 - 35	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	51.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	46,568	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	2,568	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,705	6,072
Yield rate	66.4%	23.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$82,570	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$25,028	$17,146
Tuition	$60,944	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,054 Meal plan: $6,292	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)	46.0% Average amount $55,420	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	9.0% Average amount $5,159	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $27,008	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,349 Men 48.1% Women 51.9%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	3,347 Men 50.0% Women 50.0%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	96.5%	29.5%
International students	18.6%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,013	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences Computer and Information Science Engineering	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	6:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	95.8%	87.7%
Dropout rate	3.7%	4.0%
Transferred out	N/A	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $130,101 Year 2: $153,718 Year 3: $184,762 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $105,532 Year 2: $88,506 Year 3: $97,037 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,171 Year 2: $73,769 Year 3: $91,029 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,583 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $80,783 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,028 Year 2: $63,302 Year 3: $78,949 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,505 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $74,894 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $60,843 Year 2: $61,294 Year 3: $73,224 International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,882 Year 2: $50,105 Year 3: $65,953 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,247 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $63,507 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,186 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $62,581	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 Brown University and the University of Maryland - College Park (UMD)?

Brown University is a private Ivy League research university known for its open curriculum and strong liberal arts focus. UMD is a large public research university with a wide range of programs, including strong STEM offerings and a more structured academic environment. Brown emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and student autonomy, while UMD offers a broader selection of majors and a more traditional college experience.
How do the academic reputations of Brown and UMD compare?

Brown University consistently ranks among the top universities globally, renowned for its academic rigor and innovative approach to education. UMD is also a highly respected institution, particularly strong in STEM fields like engineering, computer science, and physics. While both are excellent, Brown's Ivy League status often gives it a slight edge in overall academic prestige, especially in certain humanities and social science disciplines.
What is the difference in cost of attendance between Brown and UMD?

Brown University, as a private institution, has a significantly higher tuition cost compared to UMD, especially for out-of-state students. UMD offers more affordable tuition rates for Maryland residents. Consider the total cost of attendance, including room, board, and fees, and explore financial aid options at both institutions to determine the most financially viable choice for you.
How do the campus environments and student life differ between Brown and UMD?

Brown's campus in Providence, Rhode Island, offers a more intimate and intellectually focused atmosphere. The open curriculum fosters a strong sense of academic exploration and collaboration. UMD's large campus in College Park, Maryland, provides a more diverse and vibrant social scene with numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic events. UMD offers a more traditional 'big school' experience, while Brown is known for its close-knit community and emphasis on individual learning.
What are the strengths of Brown University's open curriculum?

Brown's open curriculum allows students to design their own course of study with minimal core requirements. This fosters intellectual curiosity, encourages interdisciplinary exploration, and empowers students to pursue their passions. It's ideal for students who are self-directed and have a clear idea of their academic interests, or who want the freedom to explore different fields before committing to a major.
What are the advantages of attending UMD, a large public university?

UMD offers a wide range of academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities due to its size and resources. It provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, diverse student body, and a strong alumni network. The larger student population also means more opportunities for networking and career development.
How do the research opportunities compare at Brown and UMD?

Both Brown and UMD are major research universities with ample opportunities for undergraduate research. Brown has strong research programs in areas like medicine, engineering, and the humanities. UMD is particularly strong in STEM fields, with significant research funding and partnerships with government agencies like NASA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Your choice may depend on your specific research interests.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Brown and UMD?

Graduates from both Brown and UMD are highly sought after by employers. Brown's strong academic reputation and alumni network can open doors to competitive positions in various fields. UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C., and its strong STEM programs provide excellent career opportunities in government, technology, and related industries. Both universities offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships and job placement.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island, a vibrant city with a thriving arts and culture scene. It offers a more urban and walkable environment. UMD is located in College Park, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. This proximity provides students with access to internships, cultural attractions, and government resources in the nation's capital. The location can influence your social life, internship opportunities, and overall college experience.
What type of student is best suited for Brown University versus the University of Maryland?

Brown University is a great fit for students who are independent, intellectually curious, and thrive in a flexible academic environment. If you value autonomy and want to design your own curriculum, Brown might be the better choice. UMD is well-suited for students who prefer a more structured academic program, enjoy a large campus environment, and are interested in a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities. If you are looking for a traditional college experience with strong STEM programs, UMD could be a better fit.

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