University Of Maryland Cost: Tuition, Fees And Total Cost Of Attendance

If you are considering studying at the University of Maryland and want to know how much it will cost, looking at tuition alone may not give you the full picture. The total cost of attending the university can also include mandatory fees, housing, food, books, transportation and other personal expenses.

The University of Maryland, College Park, commonly called UMD, is a public research university in Maryland, United States. Because it is a public university, the amount a student pays can differ significantly depending on whether they qualify for Maryland resident tuition or are considered an out-of-state student.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, UMD has published its updated tuition and fee information. The university also provides a cost-of-attendance estimate that includes expenses beyond tuition.

This guide explains everything about University of Maryland cost, including major expenses you should consider before applying or enrolling.

University Of Maryland Cost At A Glance

The cost of studying at UMD depends on several factors, including your residency status, academic programme and living arrangement.

For undergraduate students, the university’s estimated cost of attendance can include:

• Tuition
• Mandatory university fees
• Housing
• Food or meal expenses
• Books and course materials
• Transportation
• Personal expenses
• Other education-related costs

This is important because the amount shown on a tuition bill is not necessarily the same as the amount you will need to budget for the entire academic year.

Students who live on campus, for example, have housing and food expenses that students living with family may not have. Likewise, out-of-state students generally pay substantially more tuition than Maryland residents.

University Of Maryland Tuition For 2026–2027

One of the biggest parts of the University of Maryland cost is tuition.

UMD publishes separate tuition rates for Maryland residents and students who do not qualify for Maryland resident tuition. The university’s 2026–2027 academic catalog lists undergraduate part-time tuition at $459 per credit hour for Maryland residents and $1,762 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Full-time students are charged according to the university’s applicable full-time tuition structure.

The difference between resident and nonresident tuition is one of the most important things prospective students should understand before calculating their expected expenses.

In-State Tuition

Maryland residents who meet the university’s residency requirements can qualify for the lower in-state tuition rate.

This can make a significant difference in the overall cost of attending UMD compared with students who are classified as non-Maryland residents.

However, simply living in Maryland does not automatically mean that every student qualifies for resident tuition. Residency classification is determined under the university and state rules.

Out-Of-State Tuition

Students who do not qualify for Maryland resident tuition generally pay the higher out-of-state rate.

This category can include students coming to UMD from other U.S. states and many international students, depending on their circumstances.

For students outside Maryland, tuition is therefore an important part of the financial planning process because the difference can be substantial.

How Much Does The University Of Maryland Cost Per Year?

The answer depends on your circumstances.

UMD’s cost of attendance is designed to give students a broader estimate of what they may need for one academic year. It is not limited to tuition and fees.

For example, a student living on campus needs to consider accommodation and food in addition to university charges. A student living at home may have a very different overall budget.

The university’s admissions and financial-aid offices direct prospective students to its estimated cost-of-attendance information when planning for college expenses.

This means there is no single University of Maryland cost that applies to every student.

Instead, you should think of the cost as a combination of school charges plus living and personal expenses.

Also Read: University Of Maryland: Courses, Admission Requirements, Tuition Fees And Application Guide

University Of Maryland Housing And Food Costs

Housing can become one of the largest expenses after tuition.

Students who live on campus normally need to budget for their accommodation as well as food. The exact amount can vary depending on the housing and dining arrangements selected.

Students should therefore avoid calculating their budget using tuition alone.

For example, two students paying the same tuition could have different total annual expenses if one lives on campus while the other lives with family or chooses another living arrangement.

When preparing a budget, consider:

• Campus housing
• Meal plans or food
• Utilities where applicable
• Personal items
• Transportation
• Other everyday expenses

The university’s estimated cost-of-attendance figures are intended to help students account for these broader expenses.

University Of Maryland Cost For International Students

International students should pay particular attention to the total cost of attendance rather than looking only at tuition.

An international student may need to budget for tuition, university fees, accommodation, food, books, transportation, personal expenses and other costs associated with studying in the United States.

UMD provides information for international applicants and directs prospective students to its cost-of-attendance and financial-aid resources.

International students should also check the financial documentation requirements that apply to their immigration and enrollment circumstances.

Because costs can change from one academic year to another, students should use the latest figures published by UMD when preparing financial documents or planning their education budget.

Other Fees You May Need to Pay

Tuition is not the only charge that can appear on a student’s university account.

Depending on the student’s situation, there may be mandatory university fees and other charges connected with enrollment or particular services.

The University of Maryland publishes tuition and fee rates for each academic year, and its 2026–2027 rates have been published.

Some programmes or student circumstances may also involve additional charges.

For this reason, students should check the current official tuition and fee schedule instead of relying on an old article, social-media post or figure from a previous academic year.

Books, Supplies And Personal Expenses

Students should also leave room in their budget for expenses that may not appear as direct university charges.

Books and course materials can vary depending on the programme and classes taken. Some students may need specialized materials or equipment, while others may spend less.

There can also be personal expenses such as clothing, phone bills, toiletries and other everyday needs.

Transportation is another expense to consider, especially for students who travel regularly between campus, home, work or other locations.

These costs may seem smaller individually, but they can add up over an academic year.

Does UMD Offer Financial Aid?

Yes. The University of Maryland offers different forms of financial assistance, including need-based aid and other financial-aid opportunities.

The university explains that financial aid can include need-based and non-need-based assistance.

UMD also has a programme called Terrapin Commitment for eligible Maryland undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. The university states that the programme can cover 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students from families earning $75,000 or less who have unmet financial need.

However, students should not assume that financial aid will automatically cover their entire cost of attendance.

Eligibility depends on the specific programme, the student’s circumstances and the requirements set by the university or relevant financial-aid programme.

How To Calculate Your Actual University Of Maryland Cost

The best way to estimate your actual cost is to start with the official UMD figures and then adjust the estimate according to your circumstances.

A simple calculation can look like this:

• Tuition + university fees + housing + food + books + transportation + personal expenses = estimated annual cost

After that, you can consider grants, scholarships and other financial assistance that you may qualify for.

For example, a student living at home may have lower housing and food costs than a student living on campus. Similarly, a student receiving substantial financial aid may have a lower out-of-pocket cost than the published cost of attendance.

UMD also provides a net price calculator designed to help students estimate their projected out-of-pocket cost after certain forms of grant assistance are considered.

Is The University Of Maryland Expensive?

Whether UMD is expensive depends largely on the student’s residency, financial-aid package, programme and living arrangements.

For a Maryland resident, the lower resident tuition rate can make UMD considerably more affordable than it is for a student paying nonresident tuition.

For an out-of-state or international student, the total cost can be much higher because of the higher tuition and the additional cost of living away from home.

That does not necessarily mean that attending UMD is unaffordable. Scholarships, grants, financial aid and careful budgeting can change the amount a student ultimately pays.

The important thing is to compare your estimated net cost, rather than looking only at the published tuition price.

University Of Maryland Cost vs. Tuition

It is useful to understand the difference between these two terms.

Tuition is the amount charged for your academic instruction.

Cost of attendance is a broader estimate that can include tuition and fees as well as living and education-related expenses.

This distinction matters because someone asking, “How much does University of Maryland cost?” may actually be asking about the total amount they should expect to spend.

For example, a student could have one amount for tuition and fees on the university bill while also having separate expenses for rent, food, books and transportation.

Therefore, when comparing UMD with another university, compare the complete estimated cost of attendance and potential financial aid rather than tuition alone.

Can The University Of Maryland Cost Change?

Yes. University costs can change from one academic year to another.

UMD publishes tuition and fee information for individual academic years, which means students should be careful when using figures found in older articles.

For example, UMD has published the tuition and fee rates for the 2026–2027 academic year.

This is particularly important for students planning to enroll several years in the future.

The figures in this article should therefore be treated as a guide for planning. Before making a final financial decision, check the latest information directly from the University of Maryland.

Frequently Asked Questions About University Of Maryland Cost

How Much Does It Cost To Attend The University Of Maryland?

The total cost depends on factors such as residency, tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation and personal expenses. UMD publishes an estimated cost of attendance to help students understand the broader yearly expense.

Is University Of Maryland Cheaper For Maryland Residents?

Generally, Maryland residents who qualify for resident tuition pay less than students who are classified as non-Maryland residents. The university’s published tuition rates show a substantial difference between resident and nonresident undergraduate tuition.

Does The University Of Maryland Cost Include Housing?

The university’s cost-of-attendance estimate can include housing and food in addition to tuition and fees. Your actual housing expense will depend on your living arrangement.

Do International Students Pay More At UMD?

International students generally need to plan for the nonresident cost structure as well as living and other expenses associated with studying in the United States. They should use UMD’s current international-student financial information when preparing their budget.