* Location: Madison, Wisconsin
* Student population: 43,000+
* Admissions rate: 55%
* Average GPA: 3.8
* SAT/ACT score: 1310/29
University of Maryland-College Park
* Location: College Park, Maryland
* Student population: 41,000+
* Admissions rate: 46%
* Average GPA: 3.7
* SAT/ACT score: 1280/28
Student Life
Both UW-Madison and UM-College Park offer a vibrant student life with a variety of activities and organizations to get involved in. Both schools have NCAA Division I athletic teams, as well as a wide range of club sports and intramural leagues. There are also hundreds of student organizations, including academic clubs, cultural organizations, political groups, and religious groups.
UW-Madison is known for its strong sense of community and its tradition of student activism. The school is also home to a number of unique events, such as the Mifflin Street Block Party and the Wisconsin Union Block Party.
UM-College Park is known for its more diverse student population and its proximity to Washington, D.C. The school is also home to a number of cultural events, such as the International Festival and the Maryland Day Festival.
Academics
Both UW-Madison and UM-College Park offer a strong academic experience with a wide range of majors and minors to choose from. Both schools are ranked in the top 100 national universities by U.S. News & World Report.
UW-Madison is known for its strong engineering and business programs. The school also has a highly regarded medical school and law school.
UM-College Park is known for its strong engineering, computer science, and business programs. The school also has a highly regarded public health program and a top-ranked architecture program.
Overall
UW-Madison and UM-College Park are both excellent universities with a lot to offer students. Ultimately, the best decision for you will depend on your individual preferences and priorities.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between the two schools:
| Feature | UW-Madison | UM-College Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Madison, Wisconsin | College Park, Maryland |
| Student population | 43,000+ | 41,000+ |
| Admissions rate | 55% | 46% |
| Average GPA | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| SAT/ACT score | 1310/29 | 1280/28 |
| Student life | Strong sense of community, tradition of student activism, unique events | Diverse student population, proximity to Washington, D.C., cultural events |
| Academics | Strong engineering and business programs, highly regarded medical school and law school | Strong engineering, computer science, and business programs, highly regarded public health program, top-ranked architecture program |