Maryland vs. F&M

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than F&M based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 1,808 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Maryland vs. F&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or F&M? 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 F&M ($16,581 vs. $43,987).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 1.4% lower than at Franklin and Marshall College ($15,958 vs. $16,188).
• Franklin and Marshall College is 499.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $58,985 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.9% higher at F&M than at University of Maryland College Park (about $29,608 more per year; $70,794.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Franklin and Marshall College than at University of Maryland College Park (80% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Franklin and Marshall College students is 225.6% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($41,901 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. F&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maryland or F&M? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between F&M and Maryland.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 80 points higher than at F&M (1390).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 31 at F&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Franklin and Marshall College 1310/1463.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Franklin and Marshall College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; F&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: F&M Jan 15, 2027.
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than F&M (28.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 17.1% at F&M.

Maryland vs. F&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and F&M? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Franklin and Marshall College'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 $6,400 more per year than F&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than F&M graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than F&M graduates ($201 vs. $227).
• More F&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.