Academic Comparison between Penn State and UMD

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and University of Maryland-College Park are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public. Penn State is located in University Park, PA and UMD is located in College Park, MD.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • UMD has more expensive tuition & fees ($40,306) than Penn State ($40,188).
  • It is harder to admit to UMD than Penn State.
  • UMD has a higher submitted SAT score (1,310) than Penn State (1,310).
  • UMD has higher submitted ACT score (29) than Penn State (29).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,028 students while UMD has 40,792 students.
  • Penn State has a lower number of students per faculty with 15 to 1 while UMD's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 2,994 faculties while UMD has 1,849 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.University of Maryland-College Park
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationCollege Park, Maryland
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$20,234
Out-Of-State$40,188
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$11,505
Out-Of-State$40,306
56%% Receiving Financial Aid49%
$11,574Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,409
54.22 %Acceptance Rates44.84 %
19.40 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)23.28 %
1,310SAT Score1,460
29ACT Score33
83 %Graduation Rate89 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate6 %
91 %Retention Rate95 %
50,028Student Population40,792
2,994Number of Faculties1,849
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services