Maryland vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland College Park is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland College Park is located in College Park, MD (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland College Park is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland College Park 17:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Maryland vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maryland or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Maryland ($10,154 vs. $16,581).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 13.5% lower than at University of Maryland College Park ($13,804 vs. $15,958).
• University of Maryland College Park is 31.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $2,815 more per year; $11,809.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of Maryland College Park (about $17 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $41,186.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland College Park than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (55% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 38.4% larger than aid received by University of Maryland College Park students ($17,814 vs. $12,867).

Maryland vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maryland or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 UNC Chapel Hill and Maryland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 10 points higher than at UNC Chapel Hill (1460).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland College Park 32/35; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maryland - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Maryland students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• Maryland has a higher acceptance rate (44.8%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Maryland vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Maryland vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maryland and UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than University of Maryland College Park's (82%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $3,021 lower median loan debt than Maryland graduates ($16,479 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Maryland graduates ($170 vs. $201).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maryland students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.