Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Maryland-College Park vs Wellesley College
- Maryland-College Park Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 15
- Wellesley Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Maryland-College Park offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Wellesley College achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 89%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,496 compared to University of Maryland-College Park's $15,678. Students who choose University of Maryland-College Park benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $82,860 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Maryland-College Park
- Lower cost: Average net price of $15,678, roughly $9,818 a year less
Wellesley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, 2% more than University of Maryland-College Park
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 14% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Maryland-College Park graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (25% of degrees); Wellesley in Social Sciences (23%). 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 Wellesley College over University of Maryland-College Park. Median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment vs $82,860.
Pick University of Maryland-College Park over Wellesley College. Net price $15,678 vs $25,496.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Maryland-College Park and Wellesley College are close on paper, but Wellesley College 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
Wellesley College is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while University of Maryland-College Park takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,473 to 1,520.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Wellesley College 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 Maryland-College Park comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $15,678, about $9,818 a year below Wellesley College's $25,496. Graduates of Wellesley College also borrow less: median debt of $10,000, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $39,272 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Maryland-College Park leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Wellesley College graduates report median earnings of $84,803, compared with $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, Wellesley College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% 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 Maryland-College Park to keep costs and debt down; pick Wellesley College 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 Maryland-College Park saves about $9,818 a year, yet Wellesley College graduates earn $1,943 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 Maryland-College Park concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Wellesley College leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $19,000, against $10,000 at Wellesley College.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Maryland-College Park's enrollment of 30,760 far exceeds Wellesley College's 2,300.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,496 runs well above University of Maryland-College Park's $15,678.
- Business and consulting-track students: Wellesley College has less business program depth, and University of Maryland-College Park offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Wellesley holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 22% at Maryland-College Park — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Wellesley offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Maryland-College Park does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. 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) 6 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
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.
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College is a great fit for students who are focused on a strong academic experience and personal growth. With an acceptance rate of just 14%, this school attracts motivated individuals who are passionate about subjects like Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science. The environment here is tailored for those who thrive in a rigorous, supportive setting, making it a solid choice for anyone serious about their studies.
After graduation, Wellesley alumni see impressive outcomes, with a median earnings figure of $84,803 after ten years. This reflects the value of a Wellesley education in the job market. While the cost of attendance can be a concern, the school’s commitment to affordability helps many students manage their financial futures. The relatively low median debt of $10,000 for graduates suggests that most leave with manageable financial obligations.
When it comes to the practicalities, the net price after aid sits at $25,496, which is reasonable for a private institution. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and seek a challenging academic environment. With a graduation rate of 91%, it’s clear that Wellesley supports its students well, helping them not just to finish their degrees, but to succeed afterward.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Maryland-College Park is featured on the Best Bachelor's Programs in Maryland ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Maryland-College Park's top program is Computer Science (25% of enrollment), while Wellesley leads with Sociology (23%).
Maryland-College Park
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Maryland-College Park) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Wellesley).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Maryland-College Park is strongest in Business & Marketing, Engineering, while Wellesley College concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, Physical Sciences. 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 Maryland-College Park or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 45% at University of Maryland-College Park.
Which is more affordable, University of Maryland-College Park or Wellesley College?
University of Maryland-College Park is more affordable, with an average net price of $15,678 after aid versus $25,496 at Wellesley College.
Do University of Maryland-College Park or Wellesley College graduates earn more?
Wellesley College graduates earn more: median earnings of $84,803 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Maryland-College Park or Wellesley College?
Wellesley College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 89%.
Should you choose University of Maryland-College Park or Wellesley College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Maryland-College Park if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Wellesley College 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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