Maryland vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

Maryland vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Maryland ($15,522 vs. $16,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 10.2% lower than at University of Maryland College Park ($14,332 vs. $15,958).
• University of Maryland College Park is 34.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $3,010 more per year; $11,809.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at Maryland than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $8,339 more per year; $41,186.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (55% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland College Park students is 10.2% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($12,867 vs. $11,675).

Maryland vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 80 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at NC State (3.83).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 31.8% at NC State.

Maryland vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and NC State? 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 Maryland College Park's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $1,282 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($201 vs. $214).
• More Maryland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.