Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Case Western Reserve University and University of Maryland-College Park, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Case Western, a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 29%, while Maryland, a public research university in College Park, Maryland, is more accessible with an acceptance rate of 44%. Case Western's student body is smaller and more diverse, with a 50% female and 17% international student population, compared to Maryland's larger and less diverse student body, with a 56% female and 11% international student population. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Case Western renowned for its engineering, medicine, and business programs, and Maryland recognized for its engineering, computer science, and public policy programs. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Case Western Reserve University	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Cleveland, Ohio	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	30.2%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1410 - 1530	1330 - 1510
ACT range	32 - 35	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	31.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	33,232	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	10,049	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,606	6,072
Yield rate	16.0%	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	$74,114	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$38,166	$17,146
Tuition	$54,020	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,584 Meal plan: $6,898	Room/dormitory: $8,072 Meal plan: $5,578
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	81.0% Average amount $33,761	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	61.0% Average amount $5,091	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $11,016	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,792 Men 52.5% Women 47.5%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	6,350 Men 45.1% Women 54.9%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	79.8%	29.5%
International students	19.2%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	4,494	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Ohio New York Illinois Pennsylvania California	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Legal Profession	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.4%	87.7%
Dropout rate	15.1%	4.0%
Transferred out	N/A	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $166,462 Year 2: $165,486 Year 3: $172,180 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $162,463 Year 3: $149,793 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $93,570 Year 2: $106,935 Year 3: $130,724 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,016 Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $106,740 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $106,684 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,427 Year 2: $85,860 Year 3: $102,295 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $91,016 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $89,798 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,820 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $88,856 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,006 Year 2: $71,575 Year 3: $87,454 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,394 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $87,134	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 key differences in location and campus environment between Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is located in Cleveland, Ohio, within the University Circle neighborhood, a hub for arts, culture, and healthcare. The campus has a more urban feel, with easy access to museums, hospitals, and cultural institutions. The University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is situated in College Park, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. UMD offers a more traditional suburban campus experience, with proximity to the nation's capital providing opportunities for internships, government jobs, and cultural experiences.
How do the academic programs at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park compare?

Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs. CWRU is particularly strong in engineering, pre-med, and sciences, with a focus on research and interdisciplinary studies. UMD excels in programs like computer science, engineering, journalism, and government/politics. UMD also has a strong emphasis on public policy and government-related fields due to its location near Washington, D.C. Consider your specific academic interests when making your decision.
What is the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

The cost of attendance varies between the two universities. Generally, CWRU has a higher tuition and overall cost of attendance compared to UMD, which is a public institution. However, financial aid packages and scholarships can significantly impact the net cost. It's essential to review the financial aid information provided by each university and compare your estimated net costs after aid.
How does the research focus differ between Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

Both universities are research-intensive institutions. CWRU emphasizes research in areas like biomedical engineering, materials science, and data science, often collaborating with its affiliated hospitals and research centers. UMD has a strong research presence in areas such as cybersecurity, climate change, and public health, with significant funding from government agencies. The specific research opportunities available will depend on your chosen field of study.
What are the student life and extracurricular activities like at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

Both universities offer a vibrant student life. CWRU has a diverse student body and a wide array of student organizations, including Greek life, sports clubs, and academic societies. UMD boasts a large and active student body with numerous clubs, organizations, and a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly in the Big Ten Conference. Consider what kind of campus culture and extracurricular activities best suit your interests.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

Both universities provide robust career services. CWRU's location in Cleveland and its strong STEM programs offer excellent opportunities for internships and job placements in engineering, healthcare, and research. UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C., provides unparalleled access to internships in government, policy, and various industries. Both universities have career fairs, networking events, and career counseling services to assist students in their career development.
How do the admission requirements and selectivity compare between Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

Both universities are selective, but the admission requirements and selectivity levels differ slightly. CWRU generally has a slightly higher selectivity rate than UMD. Both universities consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), extracurricular activities, and essays. Review the specific admission requirements for each university and ensure you meet the criteria.
What is the overall campus culture and atmosphere like at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

CWRU fosters a collaborative and academically focused environment, with a strong emphasis on research and innovation. The campus community is known for its intellectual curiosity and commitment to academic excellence. UMD has a more diverse and energetic campus culture, with a strong sense of school spirit and a vibrant social scene. The atmosphere is often described as collaborative and supportive, with a focus on both academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Which university is better for a student interested in pre-med?

Both universities have strong pre-med programs. CWRU's location near several hospitals and its strong science programs provide excellent opportunities for pre-med students to gain research experience and clinical exposure. UMD also offers a solid pre-med track, with access to research opportunities and connections to medical institutions in the D.C. area. The best choice depends on your specific preferences and the type of environment you are looking for.
How do the alumni networks of Case Western Reserve University and the University of Maryland-College Park compare?

Both universities have active and supportive alumni networks. CWRU's alumni network is strong, particularly in the fields of engineering, medicine, and science. UMD's alumni network is extensive, with a large presence in the D.C. area and across various industries. Both networks can provide valuable career support, networking opportunities, and mentorship to students and alumni.

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