Penn State University (PSU) vs. University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to Penn State University (PSU) or University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)?“
Penn State University (PSU)
University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Penn State University (PSU) | University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $17,514 | $9,996 |
| Net Price | $29,226 | $15,634 |
| Average Financial Aid | $7,736 | $7,290 |
| Total Undergraduates | 40179 | 26889 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1090 - 1300 | 1210 - 1420 |
| Acceptance Rate | 51 | 45 |
| Location | 201 Old Main | N/A |
| City Name | University Park | College Park |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between University Park and College Park. Penn State University (PSU) is in a Mid-Atlantic and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is in a Mid-Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Penn State University (PSU) or University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Penn State University (PSU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do Penn State University (PSU) Dorms Compare to housing Options at University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. Penn State University (PSU) charges for on-campus living, while University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
Penn State University (PSU) and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Penn State University (PSU), % | University of Maryland-College Park (UMD),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 68.61 | 52.16 |
| Hispanic | 5.949999999999999 | 9.43 |
| Black | 4.19 | 12.7 |
| Foreign | 10.66 | 3.6999999999999997 |
| Others | 10.6 | 22 |
How different is the Penn State University (PSU) campus compared to University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) campus?
The Penn State University (PSU) campus is located in University Park, PA and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) campus is located in College Park, MD and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
Penn State University (PSU) provides $7,736 whereas University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) provides an average of $7,290.
How does Penn State University (PSU) academics compare to University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)?
When analyzing academics between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | Penn State University (PSU) | University of Maryland-College Park (UMD) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | 320 | 196 |
| Natural resources and conservation | 102 | 73 |
| Architecture and related services | 74 | 74 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 32 | 41 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 831 | 458 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 956 | 468 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 1886 | 1023 |
| Education | 346 | 165 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Penn State University (PSU) or University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between Penn State University (PSU) and University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does Penn State University (PSU) social life compare to University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how Penn State University (PSU) social life differs from University of Maryland-College Park (UMD).
Check here.
Check here.