University of Maryland, College Park
Maryland's flagship, minutes from Washington, D.C., with top-ranked computer science and cybersecurity and a Big Ten campus.
- Acceptance rate
- 45%
- First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
- Students
- 42,290
- 31,875 undergraduates
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 17:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $44,086
- 2026-27
About UMD
The University of Maryland, College Park was founded in 1856 and is the state's flagship university and a member of the Association of American Universities. It enrolled 42,290 students in fall 2025, 31,875 of them undergraduates, across 12 colleges and schools, including the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, the Robert H. Smith School of Business, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and the School of Public Policy.
UMD is strongest in computing and engineering: U.S. News ranks its undergraduate computer science program 17th nationally, cybersecurity 8th and aerospace engineering 13th for 2027. It ranks 9th among public institutions for research spending in NSF's FY24 HERD survey (UMD reports $1.5 billion in research expenditures combined with the University of Maryland, Baltimore), and its location just outside Washington, D.C. puts federal agencies, labs and policy internships within reach.
Admission is competitive, with a 45% admit rate for fall 2025, and the test-optional policy runs through the fall 2027 cycle. Students choose a preferred major on the application; Limited Enrollment Programs such as computer science are reviewed separately. UMD suits students who want a large Big Ten university with serious STEM and policy programs, living-learning communities to make it feel smaller, and a Honors College for extra challenge.
Why students choose UMD
Top-ranked computing: undergraduate computer science is 17th nationally and cybersecurity 8th in U.S. News 2027.
Early action applicants by November 1 are automatically reviewed for merit awards such as the Banneker/Key Scholarship, which can cover full tuition, fees, housing and food.
Living-learning programs, ranked 8th as a U.S. News "program to look for", include the Honors College and College Park Scholars.
In-state tuition and fees are about $12,834 for 2026-27, and U.S. News ranks UMD 20th nationally for best value for in-state students.
Admissions
First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
About 1 in 2 applicants is admitted
30,218 admitted from 67,101 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Fall 2025 admit rates by residency: 44% for Maryland residents (8,075 of 18,487) and 46% for all other applicants, including international (22,143 of 48,614). 6,559 first-years enrolled. Limited Enrollment Programs, such as computer science, are more competitive and reviewed separately.
Typical entry requirements
| Minimum high school coursework | 4 years English, 4 years math including Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, 3 years science in at least 2 areas with 2 lab experiences, 3 years history or social science, 2 years foreign language |
|---|---|
| English language | IELTS 7 · TOEFL iBT 95 Passing scores: TOEFL iBT 95 (or 5 on the new 1-6 scale), IELTS 7, Duolingo 120. Lower scores may lead to placement in the Maryland English Institute. Scores must be under two years old; waivers include four years at a U.S. high school without ESL courses. |
Deadlines
- Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Nonbinding; priority consideration for admission, merit scholarships and special programs. Decisions by February 1; confirm by May 1.
- Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 20, 2027
Decisions by April 1; later applications are considered on a rolling, space-available basis.
UMD's deadlines page lists November 1 (early action, in the prior year) and January 20 (regular) for fall entry; applying for fall also means automatic consideration for spring admission. Applications are complete only when all documents are received.
How to apply
Common App or ApplyWeb ($80 fee or waiver): one essay of up to 650 words from UMD's prompts, activities list or resume, two recommendations (school counselor and one teacher), official high school transcripts; SAT or ACT optional. School of Music applicants also audition.
What admissions looks for
- Rigor and quality of your coursework, which the CDS rates very important, alongside grades in academic subjects and progression of performance.
- Your essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talents and character, all rated important.
- Leadership, community involvement and service, and academic work outside the classroom, among UMD's more than 23 review factors.
- Context: socio-economic background, family educational background, extenuating circumstances and language spoken at home.
Tips for applying to UMD
- 1 Apply by November 1: early action gets you priority review, automatic merit scholarship consideration and invitations to special programs.
- 2 If you want an LEP major such as computer science, expect a second, more competitive review by that program.
- 3 Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens are considered for UMD's merit scholarships, and Banneker/Key semifinalists are interviewed in late February or early March.
- 4 Use the essay to show something the rest of the file cannot: UMD offers seven prompts, including one on any topic of your choice.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for University of Maryland, College Park
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
UMD met on average 75% of need for aided full-time undergraduates in 2025-26. Merit scholarships are awarded automatically to early action applicants: the Banneker/Key Scholarship (up to full tuition, fees, housing and food plus the Honors College), the President's Scholarship ($2,000-$20,000 a year) and the in-state Dean's Scholarship. Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens are considered for these merit awards.
- $34,268 Maryland resident; $65,520 nonresident
- Total cost 2026-27, living on campus
- 75%; 2,393 of 10,117 aided students with need had it fully met
- Average share of need met (full-time undergraduates, 2025-26 CDS)
- $19,740
- Average need-based aid package
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Computer Science
17th nationally in U.S. News 2027, with cybersecurity 8th and artificial intelligence 20th; a Limited Enrollment Program.
Aerospace Engineering (Clark School)
13th nationally in U.S. News 2027; the Clark School overall is 22nd.
Management Information Systems (Smith School)
9th nationally in U.S. News 2027, with supply chain management 17th.
Honors College and College Park Scholars
Living-learning programs in areas such as cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and life sciences; UMD's living-learning communities are ranked 8th by U.S. News.
Cybersecurity
8th nationally (5th among publics) in U.S. News 2027, with an Honors College living-learning program focused on cybersecurity.
Research
- 9th among public institutions for R&D spending in the FY24 NSF HERD survey; research expenditures combined with the University of Maryland, Baltimore total $1.5 billion.
- The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), a Department of Homeland Security Emeritus Center of Excellence led by UMD.
- UMD ranks 10th among public institutions for patents awarded in 2025 (National Academy of Inventors).
Schools & faculties
- A. James Clark School of Engineering
- College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
- Robert H. Smith School of Business
- College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
- College of Arts and Humanities
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- College of Education
- College of Information
- Philip Merrill College of Journalism
- School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
- School of Public Health
- School of Public Policy
College Scorecard: median earnings of $82,860 ten years after entry (and $67,785 six years after entry) for federally aided students.
Student life
Campus life centres on McKeldin Mall, a long green lined with brick buildings, and on the mascot Testudo, a diamondback terrapin. The Maryland Terrapins compete in NCAA Division I in the Big Ten Conference, which UMD joined in 2014 after helping found the Atlantic Coast Conference. Many first-years join living-learning programs such as the Honors College, College Park Scholars, CIVICUS or the Hinman CEOs entrepreneurship program, which group students with shared interests in the same residence halls. The UMD community includes more than 440,000 alumni.
- Maryland Terrapins: NCAA Division I, Big Ten Conference, with 20 men's and women's sports.
- Testudo, the diamondback terrapin mascot; the Terrapins nickname dates from 1932.
- Living-learning programs including Honors College, College Park Scholars, CIVICUS, Hinman CEOs and the Language House.
- UMD says it has achieved carbon neutrality and has 9,000 solar panels on campus.
Housing. On-campus housing and an average food plan cost $17,470 in 2026-27; living-learning programs place students with shared interests in the same residence halls.
Location
College Park is a suburban college town in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. The university is served by the College Park-University of Maryland stop on the Washington Metro's Green Line and a free Shuttle-UM bus service, so federal agencies, museums and internships in the capital are within easy reach. UMD calls itself an engine of the state economy, with $3.7 billion in annual economic impact.
Nearest airport: Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) or Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
Notable alumni
- SB Sergey BrinCo-founder of Google; bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park
- JH Jim HensonCreator of the Muppets; created Sam and Friends while a freshman at UMD
- LD Larry DavidCo-creator of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm; BA in history, 1970
- CC Connie ChungTelevision journalist and news anchor; UMD graduate, 1969
- CF Carly FiorinaFormer CEO of Hewlett-Packard; MBA from UMD
- BI Brendan IribeCo-founder of Oculus VR; attended the University of Maryland, College Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Maryland's acceptance rate?
UMD admitted 30,218 of 67,101 first-year applicants for fall 2025, about 45%. The rate was 44% for Maryland residents and 46% for out-of-state and international applicants combined.
Is UMD test optional for fall 2027?
Yes. UMD has extended its test-optional policy through the spring and fall 2027 application cycles; scores are considered if you submit them.
When is the UMD early action deadline?
November 1, 2026 for fall 2027. Early action is nonbinding, gives priority for merit scholarships and special programs, and decisions come by February 1. The regular deadline is January 20, 2027.
How much does UMD cost for out-of-state students?
The estimated 2026-27 cost of attendance for non-Maryland residents living on campus is $65,520, including $44,086 in tuition and fees. Maryland residents pay about $34,268 in total.
Does UMD give scholarships to international students?
UMD's admissions merit scholarships are only for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, so international students should plan to cover the full nonresident cost.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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