Maryland vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than RPI based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 7,040 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Maryland vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or RPI? 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 RPI ($16,581 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 11.9% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($15,958 vs. $18,120).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 442.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $52,272 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.6% higher at RPI than at University of Maryland College Park (about $22,895 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than at University of Maryland College Park (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 238.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($43,517 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 30 points higher than at RPI (1440).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at RPI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Maryland (44.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Maryland vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and RPI? 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).

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($201 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.