U of K vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed institutions: the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). Both universities offer a wealth of opportunities, yet they possess distinct characteristics that may sway your decision. UK, nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass State, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option. UMD, situated just outside the bustling capital, attracts a more diverse student body, fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus culture. While UK excels in fields like engineering and agriculture, UMD shines in disciplines such as computer science and public policy. As you embark on this side-by-side comparison, delve into the intricacies of each university's acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for an enriching and transformative college experience.

	University of Kentucky	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Lexington, Kentucky	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	86.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	94.0%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1083 - 1330	1330 - 1510
ACT range	22 - 29	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	10.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	70.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	21,695	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	20,396	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,721	6,072
Yield rate	23.1%	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)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,690 Out of state: $50,688	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$20,043	$17,146
Tuition	In state: $11,247 Out of state: $30,245	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,650 Meal plan: $4,536	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)	92.0% Average amount $11,623	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,177	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $19,204	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,900 Men 43.1% Women 56.9%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	8,490 Men 37.7% Women 62.3%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	29.5%
International students	4.0%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,294	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Ohio Illinois Georgia Tennessee	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Engineering Business Public Administration and Social Service	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	68.2%	87.7%
Dropout rate	30.6%	4.0%
Transferred out	N/A	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $106,223 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $134,605 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $81,971 Year 2: $114,730 Year 3: $122,422 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $101,348 Year 2: $116,083 Year 3: $111,861 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $99,330 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $102,019 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,048 Year 2: $93,555 Year 3: $98,399 Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $83,128 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,062 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $78,282 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,632 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $76,500 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,089 Year 2: $70,512 Year 3: $74,487 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,465 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $72,801	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 the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)?

The University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) differ significantly in location, size, and academic focus. UK is a large public university located in Lexington, Kentucky, known for its strong programs in agriculture, pharmacy, and basketball. UMD, situated in College Park, Maryland, is a larger public research university with a broader range of highly ranked programs, particularly in engineering, computer science, and business, and benefits from its proximity to Washington, D.C.
Which university is larger: University of Kentucky or University of Maryland-College Park?

The University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is generally larger than the University of Kentucky (UK) in terms of student enrollment. UMD typically has a higher number of undergraduate and graduate students.
How do the locations of UK and UMD compare?

The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky, a city known for its horse farms and Southern charm. The University of Maryland-College Park is located in College Park, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., offering students access to internships, cultural attractions, and career opportunities in the nation's capital.
Which university is known for better academics?

Both universities offer strong academic programs, but UMD generally has a higher overall academic ranking. UMD excels in fields like engineering, computer science, and business, while UK is particularly strong in areas like pharmacy, agriculture, and equine studies. The 'better' university depends on your specific academic interests.
How do the tuition costs compare between UK and UMD?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency status. Generally, for in-state students, UK may have slightly lower tuition than UMD. However, for out-of-state students, UMD's tuition might be comparable or slightly higher. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fees information.
What are the athletic reputations of UK and UMD?

Both universities have strong athletic programs. The University of Kentucky is renowned for its basketball program, which has a long and storied history. The University of Maryland-College Park has a strong athletic program across various sports, particularly football and basketball, and is a member of the Big Ten Conference.
What kind of campus life can I expect at UK versus UMD?

At the University of Kentucky, you can expect a vibrant campus life centered around school spirit, particularly related to basketball. Lexington offers a blend of urban and rural experiences. At the University of Maryland-College Park, campus life is more diverse due to its larger size and proximity to Washington, D.C. There are numerous clubs, organizations, and events, and students have easy access to cultural and professional opportunities in the city.
Which university is better for students interested in internships and career opportunities?

The University of Maryland-College Park generally offers more readily available internship and career opportunities due to its location near Washington, D.C., a major hub for government, technology, and various industries. While UK also provides career services and opportunities, UMD's location gives it a distinct advantage in terms of accessibility to a wider range of options.
How do the research opportunities compare between UK and UMD?

Both universities are research institutions, but the University of Maryland-College Park typically has a higher volume of research activity and funding due to its larger size and focus on STEM fields. Both offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, but UMD's broader research portfolio may provide more diverse options.
What are the acceptance rates for UK and UMD?

The University of Maryland-College Park generally has a more selective acceptance rate than the University of Kentucky. This means it is typically more competitive to get into UMD than UK. Check the latest admission statistics on each university's website for the most current information.
Which school has a stronger focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields?

While both universities offer strong STEM programs, the University of Maryland-College Park is generally considered to have a stronger overall focus and reputation in STEM fields, particularly in engineering and computer science. UMD's proximity to government agencies and tech companies in the D.C. area contributes to its strength in these areas.
How does the student body diversity compare between the two universities?

The University of Maryland-College Park generally has a more diverse student body compared to the University of Kentucky. UMD attracts students from a wider range of geographic locations and backgrounds, contributing to a more multicultural campus environment.

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