College Park, MD – For many Maryland students, the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), is no longer the “safe” option it used to be. Once considered a target school for in-state applicants, UMD has become significantly harder to get into, making it more of a “reach” school for many.
Why Is UMD Becoming So Competitive?
UMD’s reputation has been rising steadily, earning it more recognition on a national scale. In 2025, UMD achieved its highest rankings ever—No. 44 in the nation and No. 17 among public universities confirmed from MarylandToday (Maryland Today | UMD Climbs to No. 17 Among Public Universities in). These rankings reflect improvements in graduation rates, faculty quality, and student success after graduation. As UMD gains prestige, more students from across the U.S. are applying, increasing the competition for Maryland students.
Stricter Admissions Standards
With its growing popularity, UMD has a more selective admissions process. Currently, the acceptance rate is around 45%, and admitted students typically have:
- SAT scores between 1370-1520
- ACT scores between 32-35
A few years ago, students with slightly lower scores stood a better chance of being admitted, but the rising competition has made admission far more challenging.
Highly Ranked Programs
UMD boasts some of the nation’s top-ranked programs:
- Engineering: No. 16 (Aerospace Engineering ranks even higher at No. 11)
- Computer Science: No. 19 (Cybersecurity: No. 13)
- Business: No. 23
These impressive rankings solidify UMD’s place as one of the leading public universities, but they also make it harder for applicants to secure a spot.
Impact on Maryland Students
As UMD attracts more competitive applicants, Maryland students who once considered it a guaranteed choice may now find they need to work harder to stand out. Applying to backup schools might also become a necessity for many.
