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

Drexel University and University of Maryland-College Park, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Drexel, a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, boasts a 73% acceptance rate and is renowned for its cooperative education program, which seamlessly integrates classroom learning with real-world work experience. In contrast, the University of Maryland-College Park, a public research university located in College Park, Maryland, has a more selective admissions process with a 44% acceptance rate. It is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in engineering, computer science, and business. While Drexel's student body is predominantly undergraduate, with a 67% undergraduate population, Maryland has a more balanced distribution with 46% undergraduate and 54% graduate students. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Drexel University	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	90.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	82.6%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1210 - 1410	1330 - 1510
ACT range	26 - 32	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	37.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	9.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	34,519	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	28,522	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,854	6,072
Yield rate	10.0%	23.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$77,478	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$26,076	$17,146
Tuition	$54,766	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,320 Meal plan: $6,168	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)	100.0% Average amount $33,241	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	61.0% Average amount $5,326	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $25,237	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	14,413 Men 51.2% Women 48.8%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	8,803 Men 36.1% Women 63.9%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	50.5%	29.5%
International students	9.2%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,667	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland California	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	10:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	78.2%	87.7%
Dropout rate	21.1%	4.0%
Transferred out	N/A	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,513 Year 2: $101,964 Year 3: $119,120 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,960 Year 2: $111,501 Year 3: $117,719 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,740 Year 2: $97,737 Year 3: $113,456 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,372 Year 2: $99,516 Year 3: $111,283 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,146 Year 2: $102,258 Year 3: $105,288 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,747 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $103,890 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,646 Year 2: $88,448 Year 3: $103,671 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,245 Year 2: $95,473 Year 3: $99,676 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,985 Year 2: $93,520 Year 3: $96,267 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $88,020 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $95,367	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 academic focus between Drexel University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

Drexel University is renowned for its emphasis on experiential learning, particularly through its co-op program, which integrates academic study with professional work experience. This makes Drexel a strong choice for students seeking practical skills and industry connections. The University of Maryland-College Park, on the other hand, offers a broader range of academic programs and is particularly strong in research, especially in fields like engineering, computer science, and public policy. Maryland also has a strong focus on its undergraduate research opportunities.
How does the co-op program at Drexel compare to internship opportunities at the University of Maryland?

Drexel's co-op program is a structured, mandatory component of many undergraduate programs, providing students with multiple six-month work experiences. This immersive approach allows students to gain significant professional experience before graduation. The University of Maryland offers a wide array of internship opportunities, but they are typically shorter in duration and not always integrated into the academic curriculum. Maryland students often find internships through career fairs, faculty connections, and online job boards.
Which university is better for students interested in engineering?

Both universities have strong engineering programs. Drexel's engineering programs benefit from the co-op program, providing students with practical experience. The University of Maryland's engineering school is highly ranked and benefits from its proximity to Washington, D.C., and its strong research focus, offering students opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects.
What is the campus environment like at Drexel versus the University of Maryland?

Drexel University is located in an urban setting in Philadelphia, offering students access to a vibrant city environment with numerous cultural and entertainment options. The University of Maryland-College Park has a more traditional, suburban campus feel, with a large, green campus and a strong sense of community. It is also located near Washington, D.C., providing access to the nation's capital.
How do the costs of attendance compare between Drexel and the University of Maryland?

Tuition and fees at Drexel University are generally higher than at the University of Maryland-College Park. However, financial aid packages and scholarships can significantly offset these costs. It's important to compare the net cost, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses, after considering any financial aid offered by each university.
Which university has a stronger alumni network?

Both universities have extensive alumni networks. The University of Maryland benefits from its large size and its location near Washington, D.C., which provides access to a wide range of professional opportunities. Drexel's alumni network is particularly strong in the Philadelphia area and in fields related to its co-op program, providing valuable career connections for its graduates.
What are the student life and extracurricular activities like at Drexel and the University of Maryland?

Drexel offers a diverse range of student organizations and activities, with a focus on leveraging the city of Philadelphia for cultural and social experiences. The University of Maryland has a very active campus life, with a wide variety of clubs, sports teams (including a strong Division I athletic program), and social events. Maryland's campus culture is often described as more traditional and collegiate.
How does the location of each university impact student life?

Drexel's urban location in Philadelphia provides students with easy access to a wide array of cultural attractions, restaurants, and job opportunities. The University of Maryland's location near Washington, D.C., offers similar advantages, including access to government agencies, museums, and a thriving job market. Both locations provide unique advantages for students seeking internships and career opportunities.
Which university is better for students seeking a strong research environment?

The University of Maryland-College Park is generally considered to have a stronger research environment, particularly in fields like engineering, computer science, and the sciences. Maryland has a significant number of research centers and institutes, and offers numerous opportunities for undergraduate research. Drexel also offers research opportunities, but its focus is more heavily weighted towards experiential learning through its co-op program.
How do the admission requirements differ between Drexel and the University of Maryland?

Admission requirements for both universities are competitive. Both universities consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies are increasingly common), extracurricular activities, and essays. The specific requirements and the weight given to each factor may vary slightly. It's recommended to review the admissions websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information.

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