Is Carnegie Mellon harder to get into than the University of Maryland for computer science?

Carnegie Mellon is harder to get into than the University of Maryland for computer science, particularly through Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science. CMU SCS is one of the country’s most selective undergraduate computing programs and draws a concentrated applicant pool with unusually strong preparation in math, programming, and technical coursework. Maryland’s computer science program is also selective and capacity-conscious, but it is not typically as difficult to enter as CMU SCS.

The key difference is that CMU evaluates applicants for a specialized school with a very limited number of places. Strong grades and advanced quantitative coursework are important, but successful applicants also often show sustained intellectual engagement with computing, such as substantial projects, research, competitions, or other evidence of depth. Because many applicants already have those credentials, even excellent students face a highly unpredictable process.

At the University of Maryland, computer science remains a popular, high-demand major, and students should not treat it as an easy admission option. Maryland considers academic performance rigorously, including preparation for a demanding STEM curriculum, while offering a larger university environment and a broader range of entry paths than CMU’s dedicated SCS model.

For application planning, CMU should be viewed as a high reach for nearly every CS applicant. Maryland can still be a reach or target depending on a student’s academic record and residency, since Maryland residents and nonresidents may face different levels of competition.