Head-to-head · 2026
Rutgers University-New Brunswick vs University of Maryland-College Park
Compare average net price ($24,406 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick; $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park), ROI score (7.63 vs 13.21), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($74,479 vs $82,860), and admissions selectivity (58.2% acceptance at Rutgers University-New Brunswick; 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 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.63 | 13.21 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $24,406 | $15,678 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $97,624 | $62,712 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $17,929 | $11,809 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $37,441 | $41,186 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $74,479 | $82,860 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 58.2% | 44.8% |
| Graduation rate | 83.6% | 88.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 93% | 96.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $19,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 37,751 | 30,760 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1410 | 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 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,343 | $2,962 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,210 | $6,051 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $18,282 | $10,273 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $25,106 | $18,250 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $35,016 | $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 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | University of Maryland-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 5.5% | 4.6% |
| Public Health | 5.1% | 4.8% |
| Information Science/Studies | 3.7% | 5% |
| Psychology, General | 4.2% | 3.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.2% | 5.2% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 3.2% | 3.4% |
| Economics | 2.1% | 4.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 5.7% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Maryland-College Park reports the lower average net price by $8,728 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $34,912 difference over four years ($62,712 vs $97,624).
University of Maryland-College Park reports $8,381 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($82,860 vs $74,479). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 93% at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and 96.2% at University of Maryland-College Park. Median federal debt among completers is $21,500 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
Rutgers University-New Brunswick vs University of Maryland-College Park, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Maryland-College Park is cheaper — average net price $15,678 per year vs $24,406 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The annual difference of $8,728 adds up to about $34,912 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 $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. The gap in the federal data is $8,381. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Maryland-College Park is more selective at 44.8% acceptance vs 58.2% at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
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.