Head-to-head · 2026
Chesapeake College vs University of Maryland-College Park
Compare average net price ($5,106 at Chesapeake College; $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park), ROI score (17.77 vs 13.21), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,301 vs $82,860), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chesapeake College; 44.8% at University of Maryland-College Park) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Chesapeake College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.77 ✓ | 13.21 |
| Avg net price | $5,106 ✓ | $15,678 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,424 ✓ | $62,712 |
| In-state tuition | $4,274 | $11,809 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,768 | $41,186 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,301 | $82,860 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 44.8% |
| Graduation rate | 35% | 88.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.2% | 96.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $19,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,320 | 30,760 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1473 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Chesapeake College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,668 | $2,962 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,152 ✓ | $6,051 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,884 ✓ | $10,273 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,052 ✓ | $18,250 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $26,691 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Chesapeake College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 3.5% | 4.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1.7% | 5.2% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 6.5% | 0.3% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 4.8% | 0.1% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 2.2% | 0.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1.3% | 1.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.2% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Chesapeake College reports the lower average net price by $10,572 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $42,288 difference over four years ($20,424 vs $62,712).
University of Maryland-College Park reports $46,559 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($82,860 vs $36,301). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.2% at Chesapeake College and 96.2% at University of Maryland-College Park. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Chesapeake College vs University of Maryland-College Park, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Chesapeake College is cheaper — average net price $5,106 per year vs $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park. The annual difference of $10,572 adds up to about $42,288 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Maryland-College Park reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $82,860 vs $36,301 at Chesapeake College. The gap in the federal data is $46,559. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.