Maryland vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Maryland vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or VWC? 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 VWC ($16,581 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 25.2% lower than at University of Maryland College Park ($11,930 vs. $15,958).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 217.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $25,691 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at Maryland than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $3,686 more per year; $41,186.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of Maryland College Park (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 132.6% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($29,923 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 220 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Maryland (44.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Maryland vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $26,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Maryland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 57%)

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.