Head-to-head · 2026
Montgomery College vs University of Maryland-College Park
Compare average net price ($8,027 at Montgomery College; $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park), ROI score (15.62 vs 13.21), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,159 vs $82,860), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Montgomery 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 | Montgomery College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.62 ✓ | 13.21 |
| Avg net price | $8,027 ✓ | $15,678 |
| 4-year avg net price | $32,108 ✓ | $62,712 |
| In-state tuition | $5,394 | $11,809 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,250 | $41,186 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,159 | $82,860 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 44.8% |
| Graduation rate | 32.4% | 88.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 74.7% | 96.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,415 ✓ | $19,000 |
| Enrollment | 13,773 | 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 | Montgomery College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,932 | $2,962 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,163 | $6,051 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,558 ✓ | $10,273 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,862 ✓ | $18,250 |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,146 ✓ | $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 | Montgomery College | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General | 14.4% | 0.3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 8.2% | 0.3% |
| Public Health | 0.6% | 4.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.1% | 5.2% |
| Engineering, General | 3.1% | 1.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1.5% | 2.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.8% | 0.7% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 0.6% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Montgomery College reports the lower average net price by $7,651 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $30,604 difference over four years ($32,108 vs $62,712).
University of Maryland-College Park reports $32,701 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($82,860 vs $50,159). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.7% at Montgomery College and 96.2% at University of Maryland-College Park. Median federal debt among completers is $10,415 vs $19,000, respectively.
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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Montgomery 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?
Montgomery College is cheaper — average net price $8,027 per year vs $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park. The annual difference of $7,651 adds up to about $30,604 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 $50,159 at Montgomery College. The gap in the federal data is $32,701. 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.