Choosing the right college is a critical decision. The University of Maryland-College Park and UCLA are two well-known institutions with a wide range of academic programs and campus resources. This article will provide an overview of each institution and compare the costs, admissions, academics, diversity, campus life, alumni, rankings, and outcomes to help you make an informed decision.
University of Maryland-College Park Overview
The University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is a public research university located in College Park, Maryland. It is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. Established in 1856, it has grown into a large and diverse institution offering over 90 undergraduate majors and more than 160 graduate programs.
University of Maryland-College Park Costs & Tuition
Tuition at UMD is relatively affordable for in-state students, with an average annual cost of around $10,595. Out-of-state students face a higher cost of $36,891 per year. Additional expenses such as room, board, and supplies can bring the total cost of attendance to approximately $27,146 for in-state students and $53,442 for out-of-state students.
University of Maryland-College Park Admissions
UMD has a competitive admissions process with an acceptance rate of around 47%. Admission requirements include a strong high school academic record, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range of 1330-1500, and an ACT score range of 30-34.
University of Maryland-College Park Degrees Offered
UMD offers a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Popular undergraduate majors include business, engineering, biological sciences, and social sciences. Graduate programs offered cover fields such as public health, education, engineering, and business.
University of Maryland-College Park Academics
Academic life at UMD is rigorous and challenging, with more than 4,000 courses offered. Students can choose from traditional lecture-style classes, smaller seminars, or hands-on learning experiences. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1, allowing for more personalized attention and interaction between students and professors.
University of Maryland-College Park Diversity
UMD is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus community. The student body is composed of approximately 49% male and 51% female, with 42% of students identifying as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. The university also hosts various cultural centers and organizations to support students from diverse backgrounds.
University of Maryland-College Park Students
With more than 30,000 undergraduate and over 10,000 graduate students enrolled, UMD boasts a bustling campus community. There are countless opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities, including over 800 student-run clubs and organizations, covering a range of interests such as sports, arts, culture, and service.
University of Maryland-College Park Campus
UMD’s suburban campus spans over 1,300 acres, with modern academic buildings, residence halls, and recreational facilities. The campus is located just 9 miles from Washington, D.C., providing students with access to internships, cultural events, and professional opportunities in the nation’s capital.
University of Maryland-College Park Alumni
UMD has a strong network of over 362,000 alumni, including notable figures such as Google co-founder Sergey Brin, journalist Connie Chung, and former United States Senator Barbara Mikulski. Alumni resources include career services, networking opportunities, and lifelong learning programs.
University of Maryland-College Park Rankings
UMD is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report, UMD ranks 24th among public universities and 58th among national universities.
University of Maryland-College Park Outcomes
UMD graduates enjoy strong employment outcomes, with 91% of bachelor’s degree recipients employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for UMD graduates is $61,648, according to Payscale.com.
UCLA Overview
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public research university located in Los Angeles, California. It is part of the prestigious University of California system and is known for its rigorous academics, strong athletics program, and vibrant campus life. Established in 1919, UCLA offers more than 130 undergraduate majors and over 200 graduate programs.
UCLA Costs & Tuition
Tuition at UCLA is also affordable for in-state students, with an average annual cost of around $13,226. Out-of-state students face a higher cost of $42,218 per year. Additional expenses such as room, board, and supplies can bring the total cost of attendance to approximately $34,056 for in-state students and $63,048 for out-of-state students.
UCLA Admissions
UCLA has a highly competitive admissions process with an acceptance rate of around 14%. Admission requirements include a strong high school academic record, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score range of 1330-1530 and an ACT score range of 30-34.
UCLA Degrees Offered
UCLA features a wide array of academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Popular undergraduate majors include biology, business, psychology, and political science. Graduate programs offered cover fields such as business, law, medicine, and engineering.
UCLA Academics
Academic life at UCLA is both rigorous and engaging, with a broad range of courses and learning experiences available. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1, allowing for personalized attention and interaction between students and professors.
UCLA Diversity
UCLA is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The student body is composed of approximately 51% female and 49% male, with around 58% of students identifying as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group. UCLA also hosts a variety of cultural centers and organizations to support students from diverse backgrounds.
UCLA Students
UCLA enrolls more than 31,000 undergraduate and over 12,000 graduate students, providing a vibrant campus community. Students can participate in over 1,000 student-run clubs and organizations, spanning interests such as sports, cultural, arts, and service.
UCLA Campus
UCLA’s 419-acre urban campus is situated in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, offering access to the city’s rich cultural and professional opportunities. The campus features modern academic buildings, residence halls, and recreational facilities.
UCLA Alumni
UCLA has a large and diverse network of over 500,000 alumni, including notable individuals such as actress Carol Burnett, basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and astronaut Anna Lee Fisher. Alumni resources include career services, networking opportunities, and lifelong learning programs.
UCLA Rankings
UCLA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report, UCLA ranks 1st among public universities and 20th among national universities.
UCLA Outcomes
UCLA graduates enjoy strong employment outcomes, with 91.5% of bachelor’s degree recipients employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for UCLA graduates is $62,572, according to Payscale.com.
University of Maryland-College Park vs UCLA Cost Comparison
Both the University of Maryland-College Park and UCLA offer affordable tuition rates for in-state students, with UMD at approximately $10,595 per year and UCLA at around $13,226 per year. For out-of-state students, tuition costs are significantly higher at both institutions, with UMD at $36,891 per year and UCLA at $42,218 per year. The total cost of attendance, including room, board, and supplies, is around $27,146 for in-state UMD students and $34,056 for in-state UCLA students. Out-of-state students can expect to pay approximately $53,442 at UMD and $63,048 at UCLA.
University of Maryland-College Park vs UCLA Admissions Difficulty
Both UMD and UCLA have competitive admissions processes, with UMD having an acceptance rate of around 47% and UCLA at around 14%. The middle 50% SAT score range for both institutions is similar, with UMD at 1330-1500 and UCLA at 1330-1530. The middle 50% ACT score range for both schools is also alike, with UMD at 30-34 and UCLA at 30-34. Both institutions require a strong high school academic record, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay for admission.
University of Maryland-College Park vs UCLA Academic Difficulty
Both UMD and UCLA are known for their rigorous academics and challenging coursework. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1 at both institutions, allowing for personalized attention and interaction between students and professors. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs and courses, with UMD having over 90 undergraduate majors and more than 160 graduate programs, while UCLA offers more than 130 undergraduate majors and over 200 graduate programs.
University of Maryland-College Park vs UCLA Outcome Comparison
Graduates from both the University of Maryland-College Park and UCLA enjoy strong employment outcomes. Approximately 91% of UMD bachelor’s degree recipients are employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation, while 91.5% of UCLA bachelor’s degree recipients achieve the same outcome. The average starting salary for UMD graduates is $61,648, while UCLA graduates earn an average starting salary of $62,572.
