UMUC vs. Plaza College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphi, MD with Plaza College in Forest Hills, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Global Campus is larger than Plaza College based on total student enrollment (63,012 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Global Campus is located in Adelphi, MD (Large Suburban setting); Plaza College is in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland Global Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Global Campus 21:1; Plaza College 28:1.

UMUC vs. Plaza College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMUC or Plaza College? 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 Global Campus than Plaza College ($19,241 vs. $19,860).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Plaza College are 7.5% lower than at University of Maryland Global Campus ($15,500 vs. $16,754).
• Plaza College is 89.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMUC (about $7,314 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $8,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.2% higher at Plaza College than at University of Maryland Global Campus (about $3,114 more per year; $15,450.00 vs. $12,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Plaza College than at University of Maryland Global Campus (93% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Plaza College students is 27.9% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Global Campus students ($6,665 vs. $5,211).

UMUC vs. Plaza College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMUC or Plaza College? 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 Plaza College and UMUC.

• University of Maryland Global Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMUC - Open admission; Plaza College - Test-free.

UMUC vs. Plaza College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMUC and Plaza College? 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).

• Graduates from University of Maryland Global Campus earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $5,085 lower median loan debt than UMUC graduates ($13,915 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMUC graduates ($143 vs. $196).
• More UMUC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 30%)

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.