Stanford vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Stanford University and University of Maryland-College Park, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Stanford, a private research university in California, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 4.7%, while Maryland, a public research university in Maryland, offers a more accessible route with an acceptance rate of 43.4%. Stanford's student body is smaller and more diverse, with a higher proportion of international students, while Maryland's student body is larger and more representative of the state's population. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Stanford known for its strength in engineering, computer science, and business, and Maryland recognized for its programs in engineering, public policy, and life sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique characteristics and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Stanford University	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Stanford, California	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	Suburb: 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	98.0%	95.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	3.9%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1470 - 1570	1330 - 1510
ACT range	34 - 35	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	15.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	11.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	55,471	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	2,190	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,757	6,072
Yield rate	80.2%	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	$78,898	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$14,402	$17,146
Tuition	$55,473	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694	Room/dormitory: $8,072 Meal plan: $5,578
Available payment plans		Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	61.0% Average amount $56,211	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	5.0% Average amount $5,151	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $17,186	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	58.5%	29.5%
International students	24.4%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	14,621	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Texas Washington New York Illinois	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	5:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	95.5%	87.7%
Dropout rate	1.7%	4.0%
Transferred out	0.6%	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592	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 Stanford University and the University of Maryland-College Park?

Stanford University is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, offering a vibrant, innovative, and entrepreneurial environment. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture, sunny weather, and proximity to tech companies. The University of Maryland-College Park is situated in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. This location provides easy access to national government, cultural institutions, and a more traditional suburban setting. The campus is also known for its green spaces and proximity to a major metropolitan area.
How do the academic programs and research opportunities compare at Stanford and UMD?

Stanford University is renowned for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, business, and humanities, with a significant emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Research opportunities are abundant, with access to cutting-edge facilities and collaborations with industry leaders. The University of Maryland-College Park excels in programs such as engineering, computer science, journalism, and public policy. It also offers extensive research opportunities, particularly in areas related to government, public health, and environmental science, often leveraging its location near Washington, D.C. Both universities are highly research-intensive, but Stanford often has a stronger focus on technology and venture capital, while UMD has a stronger focus on government and public policy.
What is the cost of attendance and financial aid like at Stanford and UMD?

Stanford University has a higher overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, reflecting its private university status and the high cost of living in the Bay Area. However, Stanford offers generous financial aid packages, including need-based grants, to make attendance accessible to students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The University of Maryland-College Park has a lower overall cost of attendance, especially for in-state students, due to its status as a public university. Financial aid is available, including scholarships, grants, and loans, but the availability and amount may vary depending on residency and financial need. Both universities offer resources to help students manage the costs of higher education.
How do the student populations and campus cultures differ between Stanford and UMD?

Stanford University attracts a diverse student body from around the world, known for its ambitious, driven, and entrepreneurial spirit. The campus culture is often described as collaborative, innovative, and focused on achieving ambitious goals. The University of Maryland-College Park also has a diverse student body, with a strong representation of students from the Mid-Atlantic region. The campus culture is known for its school spirit, active student organizations, and a more traditional college experience, with a strong emphasis on community and social activities. Both universities have vibrant student life, but the emphasis and focus of activities may differ.
What are the career prospects and alumni networks like at Stanford and UMD?

Stanford University graduates have exceptional career prospects, particularly in technology, business, and entrepreneurship, with strong connections to Silicon Valley companies and global corporations. The alumni network is vast and influential, providing valuable networking opportunities and career support. The University of Maryland-College Park graduates also have excellent career prospects, especially in government, public service, technology, and various industries in the D.C. metropolitan area. The alumni network is strong, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region, and provides valuable connections for career advancement. Both universities offer robust career services to assist students with job searching, internships, and career planning.
How do the extracurricular activities and athletic programs compare at Stanford and UMD?

Stanford University offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student organizations, clubs, and arts programs, catering to diverse interests. The athletic programs are highly competitive, with a strong tradition of success in various sports, including football, basketball, and Olympic sports. The University of Maryland-College Park also provides a rich array of extracurricular activities, including student organizations, clubs, and arts programs. The athletic programs are also highly competitive, particularly in football, basketball, and other sports, with a strong emphasis on school spirit and fan engagement. Both universities offer a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for student involvement.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity like at Stanford and UMD?

Stanford University is extremely selective, with highly competitive admission requirements, including strong academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular achievements. The application process emphasizes a holistic review, considering a student's overall profile and potential. The University of Maryland-College Park is also selective, but generally less so than Stanford. Admission requirements include academic performance, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities. The application process considers a student's academic record and potential for success at the university. Admission standards vary depending on the specific program and the applicant's residency status.
How does the campus size and residential life differ between Stanford and UMD?

Stanford University has a large campus, providing ample space for academic buildings, research facilities, and recreational areas. Residential life is an integral part of the Stanford experience, with a variety of housing options and a strong emphasis on community building. The University of Maryland-College Park also has a large campus, with a mix of academic buildings, research facilities, and green spaces. Residential life is also a significant part of the UMD experience, with a variety of housing options and a focus on fostering a sense of community among students. Both universities offer a range of residential options to suit different preferences and needs.

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