UW-Madison vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Madison, Wisconsin, or College Park, Maryland, home to two esteemed universities: University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. UW-Madison boasts a lower acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a higher graduation rate, while UMD offers a more diverse student population and a wider range of popular majors. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the specifics and discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and preferences.

	University of Maryland-College Park	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Overview
Location	College Park, Maryland	Madison, Wisconsin
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: 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	52.0%	60.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1330 - 1510	1320 - 1500
ACT range	30 - 34	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	34.0%	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	9.0%	55.0%
Total number of applicants	50,183	53,781
Total number of admissions given out	26,109	32,459
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,072	8,465
Yield rate	23.3%	26.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678	In state: $27,418 Out of state: $55,306
Average net price	$17,146	$13,484
Tuition	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681	In state: $9,273 Out of state: $37,161
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,072 Meal plan: $5,578	Room/dormitory: $7,367 Meal plan: $4,100
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	56.0% Average amount $10,645	54.0% Average amount $10,932
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $5,065	26.0% Average amount $5,175
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $22,924	6.0% Average amount $16,550

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%	34,561 Men 47.5% Women 52.5%
Graduate students	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%	12,455 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	29.5%	50.6%
International students	10.3%	13.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,846	9,226
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia	Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Engineering Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	87.7%	89.2%
Dropout rate	4.0%	10.0%
Transferred out	7.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $131,458 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,083 Year 2: $111,992 Year 3: $130,357 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,390 Year 2: $113,091 Year 3: $124,360 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $96,320 Year 2: $117,042 Year 3: $123,777 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,338 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $111,424 Real Estate (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $104,219 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,387 Year 2: $100,213 Year 3: $103,937 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,839 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $97,306 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $85,538 Year 3: $94,093 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,730 Year 2: $73,949 Year 3: $91,306

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in academic focus between UW-Madison and UMD-College Park?

UW-Madison is known for its strong emphasis on research across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in STEM fields, agriculture, and the humanities. It has a long-standing tradition of public service and a strong connection to the state of Wisconsin. UMD-College Park, while also a major research university, has a particular strength in areas like computer science, engineering, and public policy, benefiting from its proximity to Washington, D.C. and federal agencies. UMD also has a strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.
How do the campus environments and locations compare?

UW-Madison is located in the vibrant city of Madison, Wisconsin, situated on an isthmus between two lakes, offering a beautiful and active outdoor environment. The campus is integrated into the city, providing a classic college town experience. UMD-College Park is located in College Park, Maryland, a suburban setting closer to Washington, D.C. While it has a more traditional campus feel, it offers easy access to the cultural and professional opportunities of the nation's capital.
Which school is generally considered more selective in admissions?

UW-Madison and UMD-College Park are both highly selective, but UW-Madison generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate, making it marginally more competitive. However, the specific competitiveness can vary by program, so it's important to research the admission requirements for your intended major at each university.
How do the costs of attending UW-Madison and UMD-College Park compare, especially for out-of-state students?

Generally, UW-Madison is more expensive for out-of-state students compared to in-state students at UMD-College Park. However, UMD-College Park's out-of-state tuition can still be significant. It's crucial to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website and consider the cost of living in Madison versus College Park/the D.C. area when making your decision.
What are the strengths of each university in terms of student life and extracurricular activities?

UW-Madison boasts a vibrant student life with a strong emphasis on school spirit, particularly surrounding Badger athletics. It offers a vast array of student organizations, clubs, and recreational activities, catering to diverse interests. UMD-College Park also has a robust student life, with a strong emphasis on Greek life, performing arts, and community service. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unique opportunities for internships, cultural experiences, and political engagement.
How do the career services and internship opportunities differ between UW-Madison and UMD-College Park?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UW-Madison benefits from strong connections with companies in the Midwest, particularly in manufacturing, technology, and agriculture. UMD-College Park's location near Washington, D.C. provides unparalleled access to internships and job opportunities in government, non-profits, and various industries that have a presence in the capital region. UMD also has strong ties to the tech industry in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.
What are some notable academic programs at UW-Madison that UMD-College Park may not be as strong in, and vice versa?

UW-Madison is particularly renowned for its programs in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and certain areas of engineering. UMD-College Park excels in computer science, cybersecurity, public policy, and journalism, largely due to its proximity to federal agencies and media outlets in Washington, D.C. Both schools have excellent business programs, but they may have different specializations.
How does the size of the student body impact the overall experience at each university?

UW-Madison has a larger undergraduate student body than UMD-College Park. This can lead to a more diverse range of perspectives and a wider selection of courses and activities. However, it can also mean larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses. UMD-College Park, while still a large university, offers a slightly more intimate environment, potentially leading to more personalized attention from professors, especially in upper-level courses.
What is the reputation of each university's research output and funding?

Both UW-Madison and UMD-College Park are top-tier research universities with significant research funding. UW-Madison is a member of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and consistently ranks among the top universities in research expenditures. UMD-College Park is also an AAU member and benefits from its proximity to federal research institutions, securing substantial research grants and contracts. Both universities contribute significantly to advancements in various fields.
How do the alumni networks of UW-Madison and UMD-College Park compare?

Both universities have extensive and active alumni networks. UW-Madison's alumni network is particularly strong in the Midwest, with a significant presence in business, government, and non-profit sectors. UMD-College Park's alumni network is heavily concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region, especially in the Washington, D.C. area, with strong representation in government, technology, and media. Both networks offer valuable resources for career development and networking opportunities.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.