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University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of two esteemed academic institutions: University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and 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. UCLA, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 12%, while UMD, situated just outside Washington, D.C., welcomes a broader range of applicants, reflected in its 46% acceptance rate. Explore the nuances of each university's popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, meticulously presented in the comparison table below, to discern which institution best aligns with your academic pursuits and personal preferences.
University of California-Los Angeles logo

University of California-Los Angeles

 		University of Maryland-College Park logo

University of Maryland-College Park

Overview

Location Los Angeles, 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 97.0% 95.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 10.8% 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 139,489 50,183
Total number of admissions given out 15,028 26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll 6,584 6,072
Yield rate 43.8% 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: $36,173
Out of state: $65,927
In state: $30,997
Out of state: $58,678
Average net price $13,393 $17,146
Tuition
In state: $11,442
Out of state: $41,196
In state: $9,000
Out of state: $36,681
Room & board $16,763
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)

 45.0%
Average amount $17,592 		56.0%
Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan 11.0%
Average amount $4,391 		20.0%
Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $19,764 		4.0%
Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students 32,122
Men 40.2% Women 59.8% 		30,922
Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students 13,994
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% 		10,350
Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 21.9% 29.5%
International students 14.5% 10.3%
Campus local/setting City: Large Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 20,372 11,846
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Texas Washington New York Illinois Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Computer and Information Science
  • 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 92.1% 87.7%
Dropout rate 3.7% 4.0%
Transferred out 3.6% 7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $129,237
  • Year 2: $134,761
  • Year 3: $179,615
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $150,028
  • Year 2: $143,744
  • Year 3: $157,681
Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $117,572
  • Year 3: $156,116
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $117,100
  • Year 2: $110,878
  • Year 3: $147,842
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,050
  • Year 2: $101,128
  • Year 3: $130,087
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $112,202
  • Year 2: $117,572
  • Year 3: $126,081
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $116,282
  • Year 2: $111,435
  • Year 3: $123,214
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,139
  • Year 2: $97,071
  • Year 3: $111,727
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $98,817
  • Year 2: $96,775
  • Year 3: $110,729
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,892
  • Year 2: $99,040
  • Year 3: $110,415
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 primary differences in location and campus environment between UCLA and the University of Maryland (UMD)?

    UCLA is located in the vibrant Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, offering a large, urban campus experience with easy access to beaches, entertainment, and diverse cultural attractions. UMD, situated in College Park, Maryland, provides a more traditional college town atmosphere, close to Washington, D.C., offering a blend of suburban and urban environments with a focus on campus community.

  • How do UCLA and UMD compare in terms of academic reputation and rankings?

    UCLA consistently ranks among the top public universities globally, known for its strong programs across various disciplines, particularly in STEM, arts, and humanities. UMD is also a highly regarded public university, especially strong in engineering, computer science, and business, and is recognized for its research contributions. While both are excellent, UCLA generally holds a slightly higher overall ranking.

  • What is the difference in cost of attendance between UCLA and UMD for both in-state and out-of-state students?

    UCLA's tuition and fees are generally lower for California residents compared to UMD's in-state tuition for Maryland residents. However, for out-of-state students, both universities have comparable tuition costs, though living expenses in Los Angeles might be higher than in College Park. It's best to check the official websites for the most up-to-date figures and consider factors like financial aid and scholarships.

  • How do the student bodies at UCLA and UMD differ in terms of size and diversity?

    UCLA has a very large and diverse student body, drawing students from all over California, the United States, and the world. UMD also boasts a large and diverse student population, with a strong representation from the Mid-Atlantic region and a growing international presence. Both universities are committed to fostering inclusive environments, but UCLA's location in a major metropolitan area contributes to its particularly broad range of perspectives.

  • What are the strengths of UCLA and UMD in specific academic programs?

    UCLA is renowned for its programs in film, theater, medicine, law, and engineering. UMD excels in computer science, engineering (especially aerospace and electrical), business, and public policy. Both universities offer a wide range of strong programs, so it's important to research specific departments within your field of interest.

  • What types of research opportunities are available at UCLA and UMD?

    Both UCLA and UMD are major research universities with extensive opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research. UCLA benefits from its proximity to various research institutions and industries in Southern California. UMD has strong research ties to federal agencies and research centers in the Washington, D.C. area. Both offer numerous research grants, fellowships, and programs.

  • How do campus life and extracurricular activities compare between UCLA and UMD?

    UCLA offers a vibrant campus life with a wide array of clubs, organizations, and events, reflecting the diverse interests of its large student body. UMD also has a robust campus life with a strong emphasis on student involvement, including Greek life, sports clubs, and performing arts groups. Both universities offer a wide range of activities to suit different interests, but UCLA's location provides additional opportunities for off-campus entertainment and cultural experiences.

  • What are the career services and internship opportunities like at UCLA and UMD?

    Both UCLA and UMD provide comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UCLA benefits from its location in Los Angeles, a major hub for entertainment, technology, and other industries, offering numerous internship and job opportunities. UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C. provides access to internships and jobs in government, policy, and related fields. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can assist with career development.

  • How do the athletic programs at UCLA and UMD compare?

    UCLA is a member of the Pac-12 Conference (soon to be Big Ten) and has a long and storied athletic tradition, particularly in basketball, volleyball, and track and field. UMD is a member of the Big Ten Conference and is known for its strong programs in basketball, football, and lacrosse. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity and club sports, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete at a high level.

  • What are the surrounding areas like, and what off-campus opportunities are available near UCLA and UMD?

    UCLA is located in Westwood, a vibrant neighborhood in Los Angeles, offering easy access to beaches, museums, entertainment venues, and diverse cultural attractions. UMD is situated in College Park, a college town close to Washington, D.C., providing access to historical sites, museums, government agencies, and a thriving arts and culture scene. Both locations offer a variety of off-campus opportunities for students to explore and enjoy.

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