Maryland vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Cornell based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 26,793 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Maryland vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or Cornell? 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 Cornell ($16,581 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 17.9% lower than at Cornell University ($15,958 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 487% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $57,505 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at Cornell than at University of Maryland College Park (about $28,128 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at Cornell University (55% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 380.1% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($61,779 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Maryland (1470).
• Incoming Cornell 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; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Maryland vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and Cornell? 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).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $30,100 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($12,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($124 vs. $201).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.