UC Irvine vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of the University of California-Irvine (UCI) and the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences that cater to diverse student aspirations. UCI, nestled in sunny Southern California, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to UMD, which is situated in the bustling Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Explore the nuances of their popular majors, student body demographics, and more in the comprehensive comparison table below, and discover which institution aligns best with your academic pursuits and personal preferences.

	University of California-Irvine	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Irvine, California	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	95.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	28.8%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1330 - 1510
ACT range	N/A	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score		34.0%
Students submitting ACT score		9.0%
Total number of applicants	107,950	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	31,110	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,489	6,072
Yield rate	20.9%	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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $35,033 Out of state: $64,787	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$11,633	$17,146
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	$16,869	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)	78.0% Average amount $16,868	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	18.0% Average amount $4,696	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $7,702	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	29,449 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	7,056 Men 49.8% Women 50.2%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	13.5%	29.5%
International students	18.0%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	15,493	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Hawaii Texas New York	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.7%	87.7%
Dropout rate	6.4%	4.0%
Transferred out	9.1%	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,124 Year 2: $190,536 Year 3: $178,048 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $104,708 Year 2: $90,983 Year 3: $109,642 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $109,417 Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $102,324 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,451 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $101,335 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,618 Year 2: $81,929 Year 3: $95,882 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,284 Year 3: $95,654 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,796 Year 2: $73,128 Year 3: $86,654 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,841 Year 2: $65,332 Year 3: $85,004 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,056 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,300 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,396 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $80,210	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 main differences between UC Irvine and University of Maryland - College Park?

UC Irvine (UCI) is a public university located in Irvine, California, known for its strong programs in computer science, engineering, and biological sciences. It operates on a quarter system. The University of Maryland - College Park (UMD) is a public university located in College Park, Maryland, with strengths in engineering, business, and journalism. UMD operates on a semester system. UCI is generally considered to be in a more suburban setting, while UMD is closer to a major metropolitan area (Washington, D.C.).
Which university is better for Computer Science?

Both UCI and UMD have strong Computer Science programs. UCI is particularly well-regarded for its focus on software and systems, while UMD has strengths in areas like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The 'better' choice depends on your specific interests within computer science and the research opportunities you seek.
How do the locations of UC Irvine and University of Maryland - College Park differ?

UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California, a planned city known for its safety and suburban environment. It's close to beaches and other Southern California attractions. The University of Maryland - College Park is located in College Park, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. This provides students with easy access to internships, cultural attractions, and government institutions in the nation's capital.
What is the cost of attendance at UC Irvine versus University of Maryland - College Park?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. Generally, UC Irvine will be more expensive for out-of-state students due to higher tuition fees. For California residents, UCI is typically more affordable than UMD for out-of-state students. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, and to consider factors like room and board, books, and personal expenses.
How do the campus cultures compare?

UC Irvine is often described as having a more academically focused and collaborative campus culture. The student body is diverse, and there's a strong emphasis on research and innovation. University of Maryland - College Park has a more spirited and tradition-rich campus culture, with a strong emphasis on athletics and school spirit. It also offers a wide range of student organizations and activities.
What are the admission requirements for UC Irvine and University of Maryland - College Park?

Both universities have selective admission processes. Generally, you'll need a strong academic record, including high grades in challenging courses, competitive standardized test scores (though many UCs are test-blind), and compelling essays. UMD may place slightly more emphasis on extracurricular activities and leadership experience. Check each university's admissions website for specific requirements and deadlines.
Which university is better for students interested in internships?

Both universities offer excellent internship opportunities. UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C., provides access to a wide range of government, non-profit, and private sector internships. UCI's location in Southern California offers opportunities in technology, entertainment, and other industries. The 'better' choice depends on your field of interest and the specific internships you're targeting.
How do the research opportunities compare at UC Irvine and University of Maryland - College Park?

Both UCI and UMD are research universities with numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. UCI has strengths in areas like health sciences, engineering, and environmental science. UMD has strong research programs in areas like engineering, computer science, and public policy. Explore the research labs and faculty profiles at each university to find opportunities that align with your interests.
What is the student-faculty ratio at each university?

The student-faculty ratio is an indicator of the level of personalized attention students may receive. While ratios can fluctuate, generally, both universities have similar student-faculty ratios. Check the official websites for the most current figures. Keep in mind that class sizes can vary depending on the department and course level.
How do the graduate programs at UC Irvine and University of Maryland - College Park compare?

Both universities offer a wide range of graduate programs. UCI is known for its graduate programs in areas like business, law, and medicine. UMD has strong graduate programs in areas like engineering, public policy, and education. The 'better' choice depends on your specific field of study and the reputation of the graduate program within that field.
What are the popular majors at each university?

At UC Irvine, popular majors include Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, and Psychology. At the University of Maryland - College Park, popular majors include Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Biological Sciences, and Journalism.
How does the campus housing situation differ between UC Irvine and University of Maryland - College Park?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including dormitories and apartments. UCI has a greater emphasis on themed housing communities. UMD has a larger residential population and a wider range of housing styles, including traditional dorms and suite-style apartments. Availability and cost can vary, so it's important to research housing options and application deadlines on each university's website.

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