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

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of College Park, Maryland, and Athens, Georgia, home to the esteemed University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) and the University of Georgia (UGA), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. UMD boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while UGA maintains a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore the nuances of each institution, from their popular majors in engineering, business, and computer science to their vibrant student life and athletic programs. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the details that set these two exceptional universities apart, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Georgia	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Athens, Georgia	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	95.0%	95.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	40.0%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1270 - 1450	1330 - 1510
ACT range	29 - 33	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	45.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	40.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	39,229	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	15,685	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,819	6,072
Yield rate	37.1%	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: $26,622 Out of state: $45,662	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$16,902	$17,146
Tuition	In state: $9,790 Out of state: $28,830	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,292 Meal plan: $4,036	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 $11,045	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $5,227	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $13,477	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,166 Men 42.0% Women 58.0%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	9,952 Men 38.2% Women 61.8%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	17.5%	29.5%
International students	4.8%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	10,050	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Georgia Texas North Carolina Florida New York	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Communication and Journalism Education Health Professions Engineering	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.8%	87.7%
Dropout rate	3.6%	4.0%
Transferred out	7.5%	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $107,603 Year 2: $120,325 Year 3: $122,859 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,544 Year 2: $111,283 Year 3: $122,491 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $117,307 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,726 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $92,754 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,513 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $91,218 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $87,059 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $85,532 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,138 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $79,772 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,908 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $79,190 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $64,622 Year 2: $64,068 Year 3: $78,529 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,002 Year 2: $77,144 Year 3: $77,709	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 Maryland-College Park (UMD) and the University of Georgia (UGA)?

UMD is a large public research university located in College Park, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. It's known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and business, and its proximity to government agencies and tech companies. UGA, located in Athens, Georgia, is also a large public research university, but it's known for its strong programs in journalism, agriculture, and business. UGA offers a more traditional college town experience, while UMD provides easy access to a major metropolitan area.
Which school is more selective: UMD or UGA?

Generally, UMD and UGA have similar acceptance rates, making them both selective institutions. However, acceptance rates can fluctuate year to year. It's best to check the most recent admissions statistics on each university's website to get the most up-to-date information.
How do the academic reputations of UMD and UGA compare?

Both UMD and UGA are highly regarded public universities. UMD is particularly strong in STEM fields, benefiting from its location near numerous federal research facilities. UGA has a strong reputation in journalism, agriculture, and business, and is known for its beautiful campus and vibrant student life. The 'best' school academically depends on your specific field of study.
What is the campus environment like at UMD versus UGA?

UMD's campus is located in a suburban setting with easy access to Washington, D.C., offering students opportunities for internships, cultural experiences, and entertainment. UGA's campus is in Athens, a classic college town with a lively music scene and a strong sense of community. UMD offers a more urban-adjacent experience, while UGA provides a more traditional, self-contained college environment.
How do the costs of attending UMD and UGA compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, both UMD and UGA offer lower tuition rates for in-state students. Out-of-state tuition is significantly higher. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most current tuition and fee schedules, as well as information on financial aid and scholarships.
What are the popular majors at UMD and UGA?

At UMD, popular majors include computer science, engineering, business, and biological sciences. At UGA, popular majors include business, biology, journalism, and agricultural sciences. Both universities offer a wide range of programs, so explore their academic catalogs to find the best fit for your interests.
What are the athletic programs like at UMD and UGA?

Both UMD and UGA are members of major athletic conferences (UMD is in the Big Ten, UGA is in the SEC) and have competitive Division I athletic programs. UGA is particularly known for its football program, while UMD has strong programs in basketball and lacrosse. Both schools offer a wide variety of sports and a vibrant athletic culture.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at UMD and UGA?

Both UMD and UGA offer a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities. UMD benefits from its proximity to Washington, D.C., offering opportunities for political involvement and cultural experiences. UGA has a strong Greek life and a vibrant music scene in Athens. Both schools provide ample opportunities for students to get involved and connect with others.
How does the location of UMD and UGA impact career opportunities for graduates?

UMD's location near Washington, D.C., provides graduates with access to numerous government agencies, tech companies, and research institutions. UGA's location in Georgia offers opportunities in agriculture, business, and media. Both universities have strong career services departments to help students find internships and jobs after graduation. The best location for career opportunities depends on your chosen field.
What are the graduation and retention rates at UMD and UGA?

Both UMD and UGA have strong graduation and retention rates, indicating that students are generally satisfied with their academic experience and are successful in completing their degrees. You can find the most recent graduation and retention rates on each university's website.

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