College Comparison
Penn State vs University of Maryland: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
Penn State
University Park, PA
School
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Penn State | University of Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 54.2% | 44.8%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1220–1400 | 1370–1520wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 27–32 | 32–35wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,188wins | $40,306 |
| Avg Net Price | $32,598 | $15,590wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $63,435 | $82,860wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 88.6%wins |
| Retention Rate | 92.0% | 95.7%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1wins | 18:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 41,862wins | 30,246 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, University of Maryland edges out Penn State on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
Penn State Strengths
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
- ✓Student–Faculty Ratio: 15:1
- ✓Total Enrollment: 41,862
University of Maryland Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 44.8%
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1370–1520
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–35
- ✓Avg Net Price: $15,590
Want a deeper comparison?
Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.