Maryland vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Columbia based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 35,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Maryland vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or Columbia? 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 Maryland College Park than Columbia ($16,581 vs. $22,520).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 9.2% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($15,958 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 508.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $60,036 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.4% higher at Columbia than at University of Maryland College Park (about $30,659 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at Columbia University in the City of New York (55% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 420.8% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($67,010 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maryland or Columbia? 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 Columbia and Maryland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 80 points higher than at Maryland (1470).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Maryland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Maryland vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $39,300 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Columbia graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia graduates ($201 vs. $222).
• More Maryland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 76%)

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.