UC Berkeley vs. Maryland

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, CA with University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Berkeley is larger than Maryland based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 41,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Maryland College Park is in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; University of Maryland College Park 17:1.

UC Berkeley vs. Maryland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or Maryland? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Berkeley than Maryland ($16,538 vs. $16,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 32.8% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($15,958 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 38.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $4,538 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at UC Berkeley than at University of Maryland College Park (about $9,361 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at University of California Berkeley (55% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 130.1% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($29,608 vs. $12,867).

UC Berkeley vs. Maryland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley or Maryland? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Maryland and UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 50 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of Maryland College Park 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; Maryland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 21.6% at Maryland.

UC Berkeley vs. Maryland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and Maryland? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $5,300 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($14,200 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($146 vs. $201).
• More Maryland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.