Maryland vs. Amherst

University of Maryland College Park and Amherst College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Maryland College Park
Amherst College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Amherst (9% admitted vs 44.8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1470.
  • Cheaper after aid: Maryland. Average net price is $16,581 vs $19,049 at Amherst.
  • Graduation: Maryland 82% vs Amherst 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Maryland $68,300 vs Amherst $82,000 (median).
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Key differences

University of Maryland College Park Amherst College
Acceptance rate
Amherst more selective
Maryland44.8%
Amherst9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Amherst higher
Maryland1400-1530
Amherst1490-1580
Average net price
Maryland $2,468 less
Maryland$16,581
Amherst$19,049
In-state tuition
Maryland $58,671 less
Maryland$11,809
Amherst$70,480
Out-of-state tuition
Maryland $29,294 less
Maryland$41,186
Amherst$70,480
Graduation rate
Amherst +14 pts
Maryland82%
Amherst96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Amherst +$13,700
Maryland$68,300
Amherst$82,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Maryland 60,056
  • Amherst 13,743
  • Admitted
  • Maryland 26,902
  • Amherst 1,238
  • Acceptance rate
  • Maryland 44.8%
  • Amherst 9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Maryland 21.6%
  • Amherst 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Maryland 1470
  • Amherst 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Maryland 33
  • Amherst 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Maryland 3.84
  • Amherst 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Maryland A-
  • Amherst A
  • Admissions standards
  • Maryland Elite
  • Amherst Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Maryland Low
  • Amherst Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Maryland 1400-1530
  • Amherst 1490-1580
  • ACT range
  • Maryland 32-35
  • Amherst 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Maryland Test optional
  • Amherst Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Maryland
  • Amherst Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Maryland $11,809
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Maryland $41,186
  • Amherst $70,480
  • Room & board
  • Maryland $15,958
  • Amherst $18,390
  • Average net price
  • Maryland $16,581
  • Amherst $19,049
  • Average grant aid
  • Maryland $12,867
  • Amherst $68,591
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Maryland 55%
  • Amherst 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Maryland 82%
  • Amherst 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Maryland $68,300
  • Amherst $82,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Maryland 80%
  • Amherst 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Maryland $19,500
  • Amherst $12,975
  • Median loan payment
  • Maryland $201
  • Amherst $134
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Maryland 17:1
  • Amherst 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Maryland
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Amherst
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Location
  • Maryland College Park, MD
  • Amherst Amherst, MA
  • Setting
  • Maryland Large Suburban
  • Amherst Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Maryland 41,725
  • Amherst 1,914
  • Type
  • Maryland Public 4 Year
  • Amherst Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Maryland #85
  • Amherst #13

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with Amherst College in Amherst, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 1,914 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Amherst College is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
  • University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Amherst College 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 13.2% lower than at Amherst College ($15,958 vs. $18,390).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 71.1% higher at Amherst than at University of Maryland College Park (about $29,294 more per year; $70,480 vs. $41,186).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Amherst College than at University of Maryland College Park (59% vs. 55%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 433.1% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($68,591 vs. $12,867).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Amherst than at Maryland (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Maryland and Amherst.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Amherst average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Maryland (3.84).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 38.8% at Amherst.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $6,525 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($12,975 vs. $19,500).
  • Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($134 vs. $201).
  • More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation (83% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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