University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) vs Boston College

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of College Park, Maryland, and Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, home to the esteemed University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) and Boston College (BC), respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. UMD boasts a larger student body, a more diverse campus, and a higher acceptance rate, while BC offers a smaller, more intimate learning environment, a stronger focus on liberal arts, and a higher graduation rate. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, such as popular majors, financial aid opportunities, and notable alumni, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Boston College	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	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	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	19.0%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1420 - 1530	1330 - 1510
ACT range	33 - 34	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	30.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	39,846	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	7,587	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,516	6,072
Yield rate	33.2%	23.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$76,606	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$30,159	$17,146
Tuition	$60,530	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,780 Meal plan: $5,822	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)	39.0% Average amount $48,693	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $3,579	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $2,200	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,955 Men 47.1% Women 52.9%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	5,622 Men 42.2% Women 57.8%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	29.5%
International students	12.4%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,602	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Education Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.8%	87.7%
Dropout rate	2.5%	4.0%
Transferred out	6.4%	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,012 Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $142,311 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,514 Year 2: $115,060 Year 3: $137,599 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $114,055 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,491 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $89,485 Year 2: $93,588 Year 3: $114,789 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,426 Year 2: $100,439 Year 3: $112,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,714 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $105,872 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,320 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $94,626 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,748 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $90,750 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,899 Year 2: $69,937 Year 3: $82,416 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,785 Year 2: $69,069 Year 3: $77,978	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 Boston College (BC)?

The University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is a large, public research university known for its strong STEM programs, diverse student body, and vibrant campus life. Boston College (BC) is a medium-sized, private Jesuit university with a strong emphasis on liberal arts, business, and pre-professional programs. UMD is generally more affordable, especially for in-state students, while BC offers a more intimate and faith-based educational environment.
Which school is better for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields?

The University of Maryland-College Park is generally considered stronger in STEM fields due to its larger engineering school, extensive research opportunities, and proximity to government agencies and tech companies in the Washington, D.C. area. While Boston College has solid science programs, UMD offers a wider range of specialized STEM disciplines and more research funding.
Which school is better for business programs?

Both UMD and BC have reputable business programs. Boston College's Carroll School of Management is highly ranked and known for its strong alumni network and focus on ethical leadership. UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business is also well-regarded, particularly for its supply chain management and information systems programs, and benefits from its location near major business hubs.
How do the campus environments compare?

UMD has a large, traditional college campus with a diverse student population and a wide range of extracurricular activities, including a strong Greek life presence. Boston College has a more compact, picturesque campus with a strong sense of community and a focus on Jesuit values. BC's campus is located in a suburban setting, while UMD is closer to a major metropolitan area (Washington, D.C.).
What is the cost difference between UMD and BC?

UMD is generally more affordable than Boston College, especially for in-state students. As a public university, UMD offers lower tuition rates for Maryland residents. Boston College, as a private institution, has a higher tuition cost, but may offer more generous financial aid packages to qualified students. It's important to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) for each school based on your individual circumstances.
How do the student bodies differ in terms of diversity?

UMD is known for its diverse student body, representing a wide range of ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds. Boston College also strives for diversity, but its student body is generally less diverse than UMD's. UMD's public university status contributes to its broader accessibility and diverse representation.
What are the advantages of UMD's location?

UMD's location in College Park, Maryland, offers several advantages. It's close to Washington, D.C., providing students with access to internships, job opportunities, cultural attractions, and government agencies. The proximity to D.C. also enhances research opportunities and provides a vibrant urban experience.
What are the advantages of BC's location?

Boston College's location in Chestnut Hill, a suburb of Boston, offers a blend of a traditional campus environment with access to a major city. Boston is a hub for education, healthcare, and technology, providing students with internship and job opportunities. The city also offers a rich cultural scene and historical landmarks.
Which school has a stronger focus on research?

The University of Maryland-College Park has a stronger emphasis on research due to its status as a major public research university. UMD receives significant research funding and offers numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research projects across various disciplines.
How do the schools compare in terms of campus life and extracurricular activities?

Both UMD and BC offer a vibrant campus life with a wide range of extracurricular activities. UMD has a larger and more diverse selection of clubs, organizations, and sports teams, including a strong Greek life presence. Boston College offers a more tight-knit community with a focus on student involvement and service-oriented activities. Both schools have active student governments and numerous opportunities for leadership development.
What is the average class size at UMD and BC?

Generally, Boston College has smaller class sizes than the University of Maryland. As a larger public university, UMD may have some introductory courses with a significant number of students. BC, being a smaller private institution, typically offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes, allowing for more interaction with professors.
How do the graduation rates compare between UMD and BC?

Both UMD and BC have strong graduation rates, but Boston College typically has a slightly higher graduation rate. This can be attributed to factors such as BC's smaller size, more selective admissions process, and greater resources per student.

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