The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)
Envision yourself as a college student, surrounded by vibrant campuses and endless opportunities. As you embark on your academic journey, two esteemed institutions beckon you: The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Maryland-College Park. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they each possess unique characteristics that set them apart. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to discover the nuances that distinguish these two exceptional institutions. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, uncover the disparities in popular majors, immerse yourself in the diverse student body demographics, and evaluate the graduation rates that reflect each university's dedication to student success. This side-by-side analysis empowers you to make an informed decision, ensuring that your college experience aligns seamlessly with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() The Pennsylvania State University |
![]() University of Maryland-College Park |
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Overview |
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Location | University Park, Pennsylvania | College Park, Maryland |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 87.0% | 95.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 92.3% | 52.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1140 - 1360 | 1330 - 1510 |
ACT range | 25 - 31 | 30 - 34 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 34.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | 9.0% |
Total number of applicants | 96,686 | 50,183 |
Total number of admissions given out | 89,207 | 26,109 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 16,049 | 6,072 |
Yield rate | 18.0% | 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) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$38,270
Out of state:
$55,848
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In state:
$30,997
Out of state:
$58,678
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Average net price | $24,012 | $17,146 |
Tuition |
In state:
$18,368
Out of state:
$35,946
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In state:
$9,000
Out of state:
$36,681
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,360
Meal plan:
$5,618
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Room/dormitory:
$8,072
Meal plan:
$5,578
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
51.0%
Average amount $9,884 |
56.0%
Average amount $10,645 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
49.0%
Average amount $5,305 |
20.0%
Average amount $5,065 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $19,837 |
4.0%
Average amount $22,924 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
73,476
Men 53.7% Women 46.3% |
30,922
Men 50.8% Women 49.2% |
Graduate students |
15,438
Men 51.7% Women 48.3% |
10,350
Men 50.7% Women 49.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 34.1% | 29.5% |
International students | 10.5% | 10.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 20,547 | 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 Virginia | Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 72.3% | 87.7% |
Dropout rate | 25.7% | 4.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 7.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Associate's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Nuclear Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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