University of Maryland vs University of Maryland, Baltimore

University of Maryland vs University of Maryland, Baltimore

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

Both UMD and UMB are highly known. UMD is academically wide-ranging and highly ranked among U.S. public universities. It has strong national rankings in most of its fields, especially in Engineering, Computer Science, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences. UMB is specialized; its primary strength lies in professional and health-oriented programs (Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry). UMB does not feature in a complete range of undergraduate rankings in international university ranking systems, but several of its professional schools are highly regarded in their discipline.

General Information

UMD, with an enrollment of ~ 41,000 total across both undergraduate and graduate levels, has a comprehensive undergraduate + graduate portfolio, with numerous majors (about 90-100 undergraduate and more than 100 graduate programs). Its suburban campus in College Park provides good infrastructure, research facilities, and access to Washington D.C. UMB, with overall enrollment ~ 6,500-7,000 (predominantly graduate/professional students), functions in an urban Baltimore environment with emphasis on Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Social Work, Nursing, and other health/professional education. UMB's undergraduate base is relatively negligible in comparison to UMD.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

UMD's acceptance rate is ~ 34.3%. UMD applicants are subject to competitive admissions, especially in STEM and high-choice majors. UMB's general undergraduate acceptance rate is  ~ 52% for UMB undergraduate admissions, but for most of its programs, and particularly its professional ones, admission criteria are significantly higher. UMB's programs stress prerequisites and professional abilities; standardized test requirements can differ by program.

Research Impact & Facilities

UMD is categorized as a very high research activity institution, with excellent research funding, numerous labs, extensive graduate programs, and varied research areas (STEM, Social Sciences, Public Policy, etc.). It has extremely high retention and graduation rates, indicating excellent student support and research facilities. UMB, although smaller, has well-developed specialized facilities in health sciences, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy etc., and good performance in professional education and research in these areas. UMB uses its medical center affiliations and professional school strengths to its advantage for effective research in biomedical & health sciences.

Cost & Financial Aid

UMD's net price (after grants / scholarships) is relatively moderate for in-state students; a majority of students receive financial aid. The cost of tuition & fees for in-state compared to out-of-state differ substantially, as it does with most public research universities in the US. UMB's professional / graduate program tuition is more; undergraduate programs are restricted, and expenses rely very much on the school being attended (e.g. Medicine, Law) and in-state or out-of-state status. Health / professional student aid is commonly more focused; UMB also maintains sound professional scholarships, particularly in health professions.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UMD graduates enjoy high six-year graduation rates (~ 89%) and good median salaries. Most graduates enter high-paying STEM, policy, business & government professions, bolstered by the Washington, D.C. proximity. UMB graduates, particularly those in the professional health, law, or dental professions, tend to have great earning potential and status, particularly in Maryland and along the East Coast. Since UMB is a professional training institution, its graduates in those areas typically earn more than many general graduates.