University of Maryland (UMD) is a public research university located in College Park, Maryland, in the large suburb area near Washington, D.C. It is a very large institution with approximately 30,353 undergraduate students (fall 2022) and an enrollment total of ~ 40,792. Admissions are very competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 44.8% (2023 figures). Some popular majors are Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, and Biology. Six-year graduation rate is around 88-89%, and median income for UMD graduates is around US$63,220 a decade after first-time school entry.
Syracuse University is a private research institution in Syracuse, New York, located in a midsize city setting. It is a large university with approximately 15,420 undergraduate students. Admissions at Syracuse is fairly competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of about 42-46% (the latest available figures show ~42%). The most popular majors are Communications, Business, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Visual and Performing Arts. The six-year graduation rate is about 83%, and the median earnings of Syracuse alumni ten years after matriculation stand at about US$79,164.
| University of Maryland | Syracuse University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.9 Out of 10 | 5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 116 Times Higher Education 2026 # 207 QS World University 2026 # 92 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 741 QS World University 2026 # 401 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 18 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 201 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 111 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 213 for Medicine by Round University Ranking 2018 # 107 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -81 PG Programs -88 Doctorate Programs -3 | UG Programs -151 PG Programs -79 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 45.0 % | 42.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-7 PTE-68 TOEFL-96 | GMAT-500 IELTS-6.5 SAT-1180 TOEFL-90 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 36891 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17384 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 54270 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 29175 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15924 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | University of Maryland, College Park is one of the top public universities in College Park, United States. It is ranked #=164 in QS World University Rankings Average Salaries Are Listed Below:
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| application requirements | 2 LORs, activities and awards list along with resume are also required for UG students as well, submit essay prompts, auditions for some programs like music, etc. | Academic credentials; two academic recommendations; Proof of English language proficiency; SAT/ACT scores (Optional); Standardized test scores (GMAT/ GRE); Resume; Personal Statement/ Essays; Additional Requirements (Video component, work experience, research proposal) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Robert H. Smith School of Business | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 24 reviews | 8.1/10 Read 10 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 52 for Business by US News 2025 # 87 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 125 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 151 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 54 for Business by US News 2025 # 251 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 640/800GRE - 320/340IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 96/120 | Duolingo - 130/160IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -58239 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -29175 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Dec 15, 2025 (Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 13, 2026 (Final Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | May 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Maryland | Syracuse University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1856 | 1831 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 16:1 |
| Male:Female | 51% Male, 0% Female | 46% Male, 54% Female |
| Location Facts | The suburban college is located in a designated area “college park” Maryland. The other campus is located in Baltimore. There is an urban forest located on-campus. The campus lies near to the transit center which makes it accessible. | located in the heart of New York State in Syracuse; main campus sits on top of a hill overlooking the city of Syracuse; Additional centers located in New York City, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. |
| Library | Overall 4 million titles in collection, comprising- print books collection (2,016,845); e-books (6,305,045); ejournals (501,554); print journals (60,900); streaming media titles (308,256), films & videos (35,089); audio files (46,796). The total collection with other libraries is over 100,000. | 4 libraries & Special Collections and Resource Center; 24/7 assistance; 4.8 million items; 697,448 ebooks; 45,000 feet of manuscripts and rare books & a cafe. |
| Campus Life | Over 800 student clubs and organizations offering you an option to indulge in arts, music, theatre, and more. The university has two main dining halls for you to enjoy a hearty meal. The college also has intramural & sports clubs and division I teams. You can indulge in fraternities, sororities, community services, and civic engagement. | Largest domed stadium in the nation- ‘The Loud House’; Hendricks Chapel; Performing Arts Centre; Schine and Goldstein Student Centers; Connective Corridor; Student Run Media; The Coalitions of Museums and Art Centres; University Bookstore; over 300 student organizations |
| Hostel | - | #Housing and Food - $15924 |
| Famous Alumni | Carl Bernstein (journalist), Larry David (comedian), Sergey Brin (computer engineer & Co-founder Google), Kevin Plank (businessman), Carly Fiorina (businesswoman), Boomer Esiason (football quarterback), David Simon (author), Steny Hoyer (US representative), Judith Resnik (engineer), Len Bias (basketball player), etc. | 258,483 alumni; Joe Biden (47th vice president of USA); Eileen Collins (first female Space Shuttle pilot & commander); Aaron Sorkin (playwright & screenwriter); Al Waleed bin Talal (Saudi businessman, investor); Dick Clark (American radio & TV personality); Megyn Kelly (American journalist, political commentator, & news anchor); Vanessa Williams (national recording artist & actor); Drew Taggart (member of the Grammy-Award winning group The Chainsmokers). |
| City Life | College Park in Prince George’s County is located on the Northeast border of Washington. It is home to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, US National Archives, and National Archives. It shares its neighborhood with Lakeland, Hollywood, Calvert Hills, and Cherry Hills. There are three museums to explore in the city and various historic sites. | Syracuse- 5th most populated city with metropolitan population of 700,000; hub for cultural, recreational, and artistic events such as Syracuse Stage, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Everson Museum of Art, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Armory Square; Hanover Square restaurants, coffee houses, & shops, City Market, Destiny USA mall, festivals such as JazzFest, Winterfest, etc. Unemployment rate: 4.5% (Dec 2019). |
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University of Maryland vs Syracuse University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both Syracuse and UMD are research-intensive universities. UMD ranks much higher globally in most rankings and metrics than Syracuse. UMD is particularly strong in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, and STEM, due to its close location to federal research grants and government laboratories. Syracuse is particularly well-known for Communications, Journalism, Visual & Performing Arts, and creative / media programs, frequently ranking very highly in those U.S.-national subject rankings.
General Information
UMD, with ~ 40,800 total enrolled students and ~ 30,353 undergraduates, is much larger than Syracuse. UMD's College Park campus is large (1,340 acres), with numerous graduate and professional programs, robust research infrastructure. Syracuse, with approximately 22,948 total students (undergrad + graduate in recent reports), has over 200 undergraduate majors, several schools/colleges with robust programs in media, communications, arts, architecture, etc. UMD's public mission for research, massive scale, and wide range of academic programs diverge from Syracuse's private model with a heavy emphasis in some professional and creative pursuits.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UMD is more selective in its admissions, at a 44.8% acceptance rate (2023), versus Syracuse's ~ 42-46%. UMD's incoming students are generally higher in their academic measures (SAT/ACT, GPA). Both schools are test-optional. Syracuse gives greater emphasis to essays, portfolios or creative examples for arts / communications programs, whereas UMD looks to rigorous coursework and STEM preparedness in admitted students.
Research Impact & Facilities
UMD is R1 (highest research activity), with extensive federal research funding, high citation and publication impact in STEM, engineering, computer science, public policy, etc. Syracuse is also active in research, particularly in applied disciplines, communications, journalism, creative arts, architecture, and social sciences. Nevertheless, as regards size of research funding, output, global collaboration, and facilities UMD leads. Syracuse's niche centers (e.g. Newhouse School for media) are extremely good in their respective areas but the overall research profile is more limited in comparison to UMD.
Cost & Financial Aid
UMD in-state tuition is significantly cheaper than private colleges; out-of-state is more. UMD students get aid, and average net price post-grants etc. is significantly less than sticker price of tuition. Syracuse tuition and fees are significantly more since it is a private institution; average net price post-aid is still relatively high. Several Syracuse students get grant/scholarship aid, but base cost makes it even more costly overall than UMD particularly for in-state Marylanders.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UMD graduates show strong outcomes: high graduation rate (~ 88-89%), strong median earnings ~ US$63,220 ten years after entering. Proximity to D.C. and federal/state jobs helps. Syracuse graduates have median earnings ~ US$79,164 ten years out (according to recent data) which is higher in that metric, and Syracuse has strong presence and network in media, arts, communications, business. Both universities have good employability, good alumni networks; UMD particularly strong in STEM & research careers, Syracuse in creative / communications / professional arts careers.
