University of Maryland-College Park combines selective admission standards with excellent post-graduation outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university delivers $22,317 in earnings above peer institutions while maintaining debt levels below peer medians, supporting strong return on investment for graduates across diverse academic programs.
Strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and reasonable debt levels
With well above average performance, indicating solid enrollment of diverse student populations
With excellent-tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to deliver strong outcomes across student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop-tier performance in national rankings
University of Maryland-College Park demonstrates excellent performance across Azimuth's institutional pillars, ranking #63 nationally with composite performance at the 96.2nd percentile. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public research university maintains selective admission standards with a 44.8% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
The university enrolls 18.6% Pell-eligible students and 22.4% first-generation students, positioning it within the selective range for access measures. Graduates earn $1,534 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 61.9th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $82,860 ten years after enrollment, placing University of Maryland-College Park in the 95th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $22,317 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions and strong economic outcomes places the university within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver excellent results with competitive admission standards.
University of Maryland-College Park delivers strong earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $82,860 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and significantly above the peer median of $60,543.
Earnings range from $56,860 at the 25th percentile to $115,984 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across disciplines. The university generates $1,534 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it above average on this measure.
Students seeking strong academic credentials and post-graduation outcomes at a respected public research university. Well-suited for high-achieving students comfortable with selective admission standards (44.8%) who prioritize long-term earnings potential and academic rigor.
University of Maryland-College Park's Selective Achievers profile reflects excellent outcomes with competitive admissions.
University of Maryland-College Park admits approximately 44.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Selective (25-50%) tier, indicating competitive but accessible admission standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights University of Maryland-College Park's more selective approach compared to typical public research universities. This selectivity level means qualified students have reasonable admission prospects while still facing meaningful competition in the application process.
Students should approach University of Maryland-College Park as a target school rather than a safety, ensuring their academic credentials align with admitted student profiles. The university's selective admission standards contribute to strong academic preparation among enrolled students, supporting the excellent post-graduation outcomes reflected in earnings and career advancement data.
For students building balanced college lists, University of Maryland-College Park represents a competitive but achievable option for those with strong academic records. The 44.8% acceptance rate suggests admission is merit-based while remaining accessible to well-prepared applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Maryland-College Park publishes a cost of attendance of $28,073 per year for Maryland residents, including $11,505 in-state tuition, $15,416 for room and board, and $1,250 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face $40,306 in tuition, raising total costs significantly.
However, the average student pays just $15,590 after financial aid, representing savings of $12,483 from the published price. This net price matches the peer median of $15,590, indicating University of Maryland-College Park maintains costs in line with similar public research universities.
The substantial financial aid savings demonstrate the university's commitment to affordability through need-based and merit aid programs. Net prices vary considerably by family income, ranging from $3,603 for the lowest-income families to $26,239 for the highest earners.
This progressive pricing structure ensures educational access across economic backgrounds while requiring higher-income families to pay closer to published rates. The university's cost structure reflects typical public university principles of subsidized education for state residents with additional support for students demonstrating financial need.
University of Maryland-College Park graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $67,785 six years after enrollment to $75,472 at eight years and $82,860 at ten years, representing 22.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 5,777 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $1,534 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of Maryland-College Park above average for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $68,200, reflecting solid outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $56,860 at the 25th percentile to $115,984 at the 75th percentile, showing meaningful variation based on program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 28% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry. The university's earnings performance ranks at the 95th percentile nationally, well above the peer median and supporting strong return on investment.
Computer Engineering, General.
98 graduates
Computer Science.
746 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General.
145 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
379 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
559 graduates
University of Maryland-College Park offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Information Science/Studies ranks #1 nationally with a perfect value score of 100.0, producing 559 graduates with median earnings of $95,042.
Computer Science graduates 746 students annually with median earnings of $99,756, ranking #46 nationally and #1 in Maryland. Biology, General ranks #18 nationally and #1 in Maryland, graduating 483 students with median earnings of $57,608 and a value score of 95.4.
Criminology ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Maryland, with 353 graduates earning $60,067. Digital Marketing ranks #8 nationally, graduating 245 students with median earnings of $77,908 and a value score of 96.8.
Business Administration and Management ranks #14 nationally, producing 227 graduates with median earnings of $88,783. The university's program portfolio demonstrates particular strength in technology, business, and social sciences fields.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Catholic University Of America Higher acceptance rate (39 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 5 miles away; similar graduate earnings | DC | 84% | $73,250 | Compare |
Loyola University Maryland Higher acceptance rate (31.5 percentage points higher) and located 30 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 76% | $82,652 | Compare |
Capitol Technology University Higher acceptance rate (33.1 percentage points higher) and located 6 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 78% | $85,035 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Higher acceptance rate (36.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 82% | $77,369 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Higher acceptance rate (41.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CT | 86% | $73,997 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#65 ranked) | FL | 25% | $61,675 | #65 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Maryland-College Park hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-maryland-college-park/analysis.
Florida Atlantic University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#63 ranked) | FL | 73% | $56,746 | #63 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Dallas Similar quality tier (#68 ranked) | TX | 65% | $68,227 | #68 | Compare |
California State University-East Bay Similar quality tier (#70 ranked) | CA | 97% | $71,401 | #70 | Compare |
University Of Washington-Seattle Campus Similar quality tier (#61 ranked) | WA | 43% | $78,466 | #61 | Compare |