Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Georgia vs University of Maryland-College Park
- Georgia Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 16
- Maryland-College Park Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Georgia offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $13,936 vs University of Maryland-College Park's $15,678, University of Georgia delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Georgia's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Georgia
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,936, roughly $1,742 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 38% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Maryland-College Park
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,860 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than University of Georgia
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Georgia graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (29% of degrees); Maryland-College Park in Computer Science & IT (25%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of Maryland-College Park over University of Georgia. Median earnings of $82,860 ten years after enrollment vs $68,726.
Pick University of Georgia over University of Maryland-College Park. Net price $13,936 vs $15,678.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Georgia and University of Maryland-College Park are close on paper, but University of Georgia wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Georgia is the harder admit. It takes 38% of applicants, while University of Maryland-College Park takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,397 to 1,473.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Georgia sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Georgia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,936, about $1,742 a year below University of Maryland-College Park's $15,678. Graduates of University of Georgia also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $6,968 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Georgia leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland-College Park graduates report median earnings of $82,860, compared with $68,726 at University of Georgia. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Maryland-College Park has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Georgia to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Maryland-College Park for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Georgia saves about $1,742 a year, yet University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn $14,134 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Georgia concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Communications, while University of Maryland-College Park leans toward Computer Science & IT, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Georgia's enrollment, and University of Maryland-College Park is stronger here.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $15,678 runs well above University of Georgia's $13,936.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia holds onto its admits more tightly: 38% of admitted students enroll, versus 22% at Maryland-College Park — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at Maryland-College Park, where only about 44% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
The University of Georgia has a graduation rate of 89%, indicating strong student persistence and success. This is a significant figure for prospective students evaluating the likelihood of completing their degree.
According to Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility statistics are not available for this institution. However, the overall outcomes for graduates suggest a solid earning potential. Alumni report an average income of $68,726 ten years after graduation, reflecting the value of a degree from this university.
The cost of attendance is relatively manageable with a net price of $13,936 and a median debt of $18,500. Students who thrive here typically pursue popular programs in Business, Communications, and Biological Sciences. The diverse offerings cater to a range of interests, making it a suitable choice for many.
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
With nearly 31,000 students, the University of Maryland-College Park is a vibrant choice for those interested in fields like Computer Science and IT, Business and Marketing, and Engineering. The school’s acceptance rate is 45%, meaning it’s competitive but still accessible for many. What stands out here is the impressive 89% graduation rate, indicating that students who enroll are likely to see their academic journeys through to completion.
After graduation, students can expect solid earnings, with a 10-year post-degree salary averaging $82,860. This figure is particularly important when considering the long-term return on investment for education. The affordability of the school plays a big role in this, as the net price after aid is around $15,678. This allows for a manageable financial situation, especially when considering that only 19% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting that many students are coming from a range of economic backgrounds.
In terms of financial outlook, graduates leave with a median debt of $19,000, which is quite reasonable compared to potential earnings. This balance is crucial for those who want to thrive after college without being weighed down by excessive debt. Students who tend to succeed here are often those who take advantage of internships and career services, engaging actively with the community and resources available to them. Overall, Maryland-College Park supports students through a solid combination of academic rigor and financial feasibility.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Georgia is featured on the Best Business Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Georgia's top program is Business Administration (29% of enrollment), while Maryland-College Park leads with Computer Science (25%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Georgia) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Maryland-College Park).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Georgia is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Communications, Psychology, while University of Maryland-College Park concentrates in Computer Science & IT, Social Sciences, Engineering. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Georgia or University of Maryland-College Park?
University of Georgia is harder to get into, admitting 38% of applicants compared with 45% at University of Maryland-College Park.
Which is more affordable, University of Georgia or University of Maryland-College Park?
University of Georgia is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,936 after aid versus $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park.
Do University of Georgia or University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn more?
University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,860 ten years after enrollment, versus $68,726 at University of Georgia.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Georgia or University of Maryland-College Park?
University of Georgia has the higher graduation rate, 89% versus 89%.
Should you choose University of Georgia or University of Maryland-College Park?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Georgia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Maryland-College Park if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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