Maryland vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Carnegie Mellon based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 15,888 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Maryland vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Maryland College Park than Carnegie Mellon ($16,581 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 12.2% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($15,958 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 461% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $54,437 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.8% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of Maryland College Park (about $25,060 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at Carnegie Mellon University (55% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 273.9% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($48,107 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maryland or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon and Maryland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Maryland (1470).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Maryland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Maryland vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and Carnegie Mellon? 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $34,400 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($201 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.