UCSD vs. Maryland

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than Maryland based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 41,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Maryland College Park is in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of Maryland College Park 17:1.

UCSD vs. Maryland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Maryland? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California San Diego than Maryland ($14,047 vs. $16,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 15.9% lower than at University of California San Diego ($15,958 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $4,949 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at UCSD than at University of Maryland College Park (about $9,772 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of Maryland College Park (59% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 100.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($25,757 vs. $12,867).

UCSD vs. Maryland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or Maryland? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Maryland and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 90 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Maryland College Park 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Maryland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 21.6% at Maryland.

UCSD vs. Maryland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Maryland? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $400 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($191 vs. $201).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.