Maryland vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 29,109 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Maryland vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or Penn? 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 Penn ($16,581 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 16.8% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($15,958 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 481.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $56,877 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.8% higher at Penn than at University of Maryland College Park (about $27,500 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at University of Pennsylvania (55% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 408.7% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($65,458 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 70 points higher than at Maryland (1470).
• Incoming Penn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 33 at Maryland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 68% at Penn.

Maryland vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and Penn? 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 Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $55,300 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $1,133 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($201 vs. $213).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.