University of Maryland vs Penn State University

University of Maryland vs Penn State University

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

UMD and Penn State are both highly regarded public research universities with very high research activity classification. UMD performs better in world rankings particularly in Computer Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences due to its close location to Washington, D.C., and excellent research collaborations. Penn State is also strong in Engineering, Agriculture, Earth Sciences, Materials Science, and has high national awareness. As per Global ranking Penn State ranks at higher position, UMD ahead of Penn State in some measures, particularly in per-faculty or per-dollar research impact, although the overall size of Penn State and number of programs and output are significant.

General Information

Penn State has a greater number of undergraduates (~ 40,400) than UMD's ~ 30,600 undergraduates. UMD is suburban, ~ 1,347 acres, near federal agencies, policy centers, and metropolitan infrastructure. Penn State's University Park has extensive land space, much more campuses in Pennsylvania, and a strong land-grant heritage. UMD has over 100 undergraduate programs and numerous graduate/professional programs; Penn State equally provides a very extensive range of programs.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

UMD's acceptance rate is ~ 45%, which is lower (more selective) than Penn State's ~ 54%. UMD's students who report standardized test scores have SAT ranges in the mid-50% within 1410-1520, ACT ranges ~ 32-35. Penn State's middle 50% SAT range is approx. 1230-1390, ACT ~ 27-32 for reporters. Both schools are test-optional / test-flexible in recent admissions cycles. UMD has a higher yield among accepted students and generally pulls in high academic credentials.

Research Impact & Facilities

Both are R1 research universities. UMD's research strengths are in Computer Science, Engineering, Public Policy, Information Science, and STEM generally. It has institutes of research and connections with federal labs. Penn State also is large in research facilities particularly in Engineering, Agriculture, Earth & Materials sciences, production across many fields. UMD's citation impact per faculty is one of the stronger ones, but Penn State's absolute amount of research (faculty, student numbers, grant money) is higher overall.

Cost & Financial Aid

UMD & Penn State have comparable tuition & fees for out-of-state students; UMD out-of-state is a bit more. UMD in-state tuition is considerably lower for Maryland than Penn State out-of-state, making UMD less expensive for in-state. Significantly more UMD students are receiving grant & scholarship assistance; net price after assistance for in-state UMD students is cheaper. Penn State also provides financial assistance, but to non-resident students it is more expensive and net price. The rate of students on aid, and average value, differ by residency status and field of study.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

UMD alumni have approximately US$68,300 as median earnings ten years after school entry (for federal aid recipients). UMD also boasts high first-year retention (~ 95%) and six-year graduation (~ 88%). Penn State University Park's six-year graduation rate is approximately 85%. For median earnings a decade after enrollment, Penn State's data sources estimate the figure at nearer US$55,000-$60,000, varying by major and aid status. UMD has advantage of location (being near D.C.), excellent networks in federal / tech / policy fields; Penn State also has a extensive alumni network, highly recognized name particularly in engineering, agriculture, and business, which also benefits outcomes.