Maryland vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; Duke University 5:1.

Maryland vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or Duke? 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 Duke ($16,581 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 12% lower than at Duke University ($15,958 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 482.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $56,949 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.9% higher at Duke than at University of Maryland College Park (about $27,572 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at Duke University (55% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 409.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($65,522 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Duke Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Maryland (1470).
• Incoming Duke 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; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 58.8% at Duke.

Maryland vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and Duke? 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $40,600 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($77 vs. $201).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 80%)

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.