Georgia Tech vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and University of Maryland-College Park, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Georgia Tech, renowned for its strength in STEM fields, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to UMD. UMD, on the other hand, offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like psychology and criminology, and attracts a more diverse student body. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, such as cost, financial aid, student life, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Atlanta, Georgia	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	16.0%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1310 - 1500	1330 - 1510
ACT range	30 - 34	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	53.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	36.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	44,048	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	7,030	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,453	6,072
Yield rate	49.1%	23.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,698 Out of state: $53,810	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$17,360	$17,146
Tuition	In state: $10,258 Out of state: $31,370	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,918 Meal plan: $5,328	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)	70.0% Average amount $14,015	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	22.0% Average amount $4,919	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $13,058	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	17,461 Men 60.2% Women 39.8%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	26,398 Men 74.0% Women 26.0%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	40.2%	29.5%
International students	26.6%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	8,667	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Georgia Florida New Jersey North Carolina New York	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Architecture	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	91.9%	87.7%
Dropout rate	2.2%	4.0%
Transferred out	4.7%	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,073 Year 2: $127,034 Year 3: $137,753 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $121,610 Year 2: $111,196 Year 3: $137,409 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,428 Year 2: $91,152 Year 3: $110,089 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,509 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $108,748 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,709 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $106,452 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,098 Year 2: $90,983 Year 3: $100,683 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,067 Year 2: $83,270 Year 3: $97,066 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,001 Year 2: $85,834 Year 3: $91,491 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,050 Year 2: $73,992 Year 3: $87,541 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,354 Year 2: $76,283 Year 3: $86,996	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 Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland?

Georgia Tech is renowned for its strong emphasis on engineering, computer science, and technology-related fields. While the University of Maryland also offers strong programs in these areas, it has a broader range of academic offerings, including well-regarded programs in the humanities, social sciences, and arts. Maryland also has a strong focus on public policy and government due to its proximity to Washington, D.C.
How do the research opportunities compare at Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland?

Both universities are major research institutions with extensive research opportunities. Georgia Tech excels in engineering and technology research, often leading in areas like robotics, aerospace, and cybersecurity. The University of Maryland has significant research activity across a wider range of disciplines, including areas like climate science, public health, and social sciences, leveraging its federal partnerships.
What is the campus environment like at Georgia Tech versus the University of Maryland?

Georgia Tech's campus is located in the heart of Atlanta, offering a vibrant urban environment with access to a wide array of cultural and professional opportunities. The University of Maryland is situated in College Park, a suburban environment with a more traditional college town feel, though it's also close to Washington, D.C., providing access to similar opportunities.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, is generally comparable between the two universities for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at both institutions can be significantly higher. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available at both schools to help offset these costs, so it's important to explore those options.
What are the strengths of the engineering programs at Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland?

Georgia Tech's engineering programs are consistently ranked among the top in the nation, with particularly strong programs in aerospace, electrical, and computer engineering. The University of Maryland's engineering school is also highly regarded, with notable strengths in areas like aerospace, civil, and bioengineering. Both offer excellent resources and faculty expertise.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare at these two universities?

Both Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland have robust career services departments that assist students with internships, job searches, and career development. Due to its strong industry connections, Georgia Tech often sees high placement rates in engineering and technology fields. The University of Maryland also boasts strong placement rates, with a broader range of opportunities across various industries, including government and public service.
What is the student life like at Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland?

Georgia Tech offers a dynamic student life with a focus on technology, innovation, and a strong sense of community. Students are often involved in engineering clubs, research projects, and entrepreneurial ventures. The University of Maryland provides a more traditional college experience with a wide variety of student organizations, a strong Greek life presence, and a vibrant athletic program, particularly in basketball and football.
How do the admission requirements differ between Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland?

Both universities are highly selective. Georgia Tech generally has slightly higher average SAT/ACT scores and a more competitive applicant pool, particularly for engineering and computer science programs. The University of Maryland also seeks strong academic records, but may place a slightly greater emphasis on a well-rounded application, including extracurricular activities and essays.
Which university is better for students interested in entrepreneurship?

Both universities foster an entrepreneurial spirit. Georgia Tech has a strong ecosystem for startups, with numerous resources and programs to support student entrepreneurs, particularly in technology-related fields. The University of Maryland also has a growing entrepreneurial community, with access to resources and connections in the D.C. area, including venture capital firms and government agencies.
How does the location of each university impact student experiences?

Georgia Tech's location in Atlanta provides students with access to a major metropolitan area, offering diverse cultural experiences, internship opportunities, and a thriving job market. The University of Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C., offers unique opportunities for internships, government jobs, and access to national museums and cultural institutions. Both locations provide distinct advantages depending on a student's interests and career goals.

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