Choosing the right university can be a daunting task, but comparing two institutions can make the decision-making process easier. In this article, we will compare the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) and Penn State University (PSU) in various aspects to help you make an informed decision. We’ll cover overviews of each school, costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus features, alumni success, rankings, and outcomes.
University of Maryland-College Park Overview
The University of Maryland-College Park is a public research university located in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, it is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. UMD offers over 200-degree programs and has a strong focus on research and innovation.
University of Maryland-College Park Costs & Tuition
In-state students at UMD can expect to pay around $10,779 per year for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay approximately $36,891. Room and board costs average around $12,966 per year.
University of Maryland-College Park Admissions
UMD has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 44%. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1311, and the average ACT score is 30.
University of Maryland-College Park Degrees Offered
UMD offers a wide range of degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Some popular majors include Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and Computer and Information Sciences.
University of Maryland-College Park Academics
UMD is known for its strong academic programs and commitment to research. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, ensuring that students have access to personalized attention and support from their professors.
University of Maryland-College Park Diversity
UMD has a diverse student body, with students coming from all 50 states and over 120 countries. The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, offering numerous resources and programs to support students from various backgrounds.
University of Maryland-College Park Students
UMD has a total enrollment of over 41,000 students, with approximately 30,000 of those being undergraduate students. The campus has a vibrant student life, with over 800 student organizations and clubs to choose from.
University of Maryland-College Park Campus
The UMD campus covers 1,335 acres and includes a variety of amenities and resources for students, such as libraries, recreational facilities, and dining options. Additionally, the campus is located just a short distance from Washington, D.C., providing students with access to internships, job opportunities, and cultural experiences.
University of Maryland-College Park Alumni
UMD has a strong network of over 350,000 alumni, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in various fields. Notable alumni include Google co-founder Sergey Brin, journalist Connie Chung, and former NASA astronaut Judith Resnik.
University of Maryland-College Park Rankings
UMD consistently ranks highly among national and international institutions. It is currently ranked #58 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #99 in the QS World University Rankings.
University of Maryland-College Park Outcomes
Graduates of UMD have a strong track record of success, with a 95% employment rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for UMD graduates is $55,000.
Penn State University Overview
Penn State University, also known as Pennsylvania State University, is a public research university located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Established in 1855, it is the flagship institution of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. PSU offers more than 160 majors and has a strong emphasis on research and innovation.
Penn State University Costs & Tuition
In-state students at PSU can expect to pay around $18,450 per year for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay approximately $35,514. Room and board costs average around $11,884 per year.
Penn State University Admissions
PSU has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 49%. The average SAT score for admitted students is 1257, and the average ACT score is 28.
Penn State University Degrees Offered
PSU offers a wide range of degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Some popular majors include Business, Engineering, Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Computer and Information Sciences.
Penn State University Academics
PSU is known for its strong academic programs and commitment to research. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, ensuring that students have access to personalized attention and support from their professors.
Penn State University Diversity
PSU has a diverse student body, with students coming from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, offering numerous resources and programs to support students from various backgrounds.
Penn State University Students
PSU has a total enrollment of over 46,000 students, with approximately 40,000 of those being undergraduate students. The campus has a vibrant student life, with over 1,000 student organizations and clubs to choose from.
Penn State University Campus
The PSU campus covers 8,556 acres and includes a variety of amenities and resources for students, such as libraries, recreational facilities, and dining options. Additionally, the campus is located within close proximity to major cities such as Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C., providing students with access to internships, job opportunities, and cultural experiences.
Penn State University Alumni
PSU has a strong network of over 692,000 alumni, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in various fields. Notable alumni include journalist Lara Spencer, former NFL player Franco Harris, and former astronaut Guion Bluford.
Penn State University Rankings
PSU consistently ranks highly among national and international institutions. It is currently ranked #63 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #101 in the QS World University Rankings.
Penn State University Outcomes
Graduates of PSU have a strong track record of success, with a 93% employment rate within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for PSU graduates is $54,000.
University of Maryland-College Park vs Penn State University Cost Comparison
When comparing the tuition costs of UMD and PSU, there is a noticeable difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates. In-state students at UMD pay around $10,779 per year, while in-state students at PSU pay approximately $18,450 per year. On the other hand, out-of-state students at UMD pay around $36,891 per year, and those at PSU pay about $35,514 per year. Room and board costs are similar at both universities, with UMD averaging $12,966 per year and PSU averaging $11,884 per year.
Considering the differences in tuition costs, in-state students may find UMD to be a more affordable option, while out-of-state students may find PSU to be slightly more affordable.
University of Maryland-College Park vs Penn State University Admissions Difficulty
The admissions processes at both UMD and PSU are competitive, with UMD having an acceptance rate of 44% and PSU having an acceptance rate of 49%. In terms of standardized test scores, UMD has a higher average for both SAT and ACT scores, with an average SAT score of 1311 and an ACT score of 30. PSU’s average SAT score is 1257, and the average ACT score is 28.
Given the slightly lower acceptance rate and higher standardized test score averages, UMD may be considered more difficult to get into compared to PSU.
University of Maryland-College Park vs Penn State University Academic Difficulty
Both UMD and PSU are well-regarded for their academic rigor and commitment to research. UMD has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, while PSU has a slightly lower ratio of 15:1. This indicates that students at PSU may have more access to personalized attention and support from their professors.
While both universities offer challenging academic programs, the lower student-to-faculty ratio at PSU suggests that students may have more resources and support to succeed in their courses.
University of Maryland-College Park vs Penn State University Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both UMD and PSU have strong employment rates and starting salaries. UMD boasts a 95% employment rate within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $55,000. PSU has a slightly lower employment rate of 93%, with an average starting salary of $54,000.
While the differences in outcomes are relatively small, UMD has a slight edge in terms of employment rate and starting salary for its graduates.
