Maryland vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Maryland vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than Maryland ($15,313 vs. $16,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland College Park are 21.2% lower than at Princeton University ($15,958 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 430.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $50,879 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at Princeton than at University of Maryland College Park (about $21,502 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at University of Maryland College Park (67% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 434.1% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($68,727 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 80 points higher than at Maryland (1470).
• Incoming Princeton 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; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

Maryland vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $45,600 more per year than Maryland graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $68,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($7,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($77 vs. $201).
• More Princeton 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.