Game 11: Saturday, November 22, 2025 | Michigan at Maryland | Maryland Stadium | 4:00 PM
Michigan travels to College Park for a late season matchup against Maryland. While Michigan and Maryland bring different strengths to the field, both universities play major roles in advancing research, innovation, and talent development across their regions.
Did You Know?
Ann Arbor & College Park Connections
- Ann Arbor and College Park are both part of rapidly growing innovation corridors. Ann Arbor anchors Southeast Michigan’s tech, mobility, and life science economy, while College Park sits within one of the nation’s most concentrated cybersecurity and federal research hubs.
- Each university invests more than $1 billion annually in research, placing them among the most research intensive institutions in the country.
- Students and companies benefit from proximity to major metros. Michigan connects to Detroit’s automotive and mobility industry, and Maryland links directly to Washington, D.C. for careers in policy, cybersecurity, intelligence, and engineering.
- Both communities attract highly educated residents, with Ann Arbor among the most educated cities in the Midwest and College Park part of one of the most educated regions in the country.
How Our Communities Compare
Ann Arbor is home to about 123,000 residents and serves as a regional hub for education, healthcare, and technology. The community has a highly educated population and maintains a cost of living close to the national average. These strengths contribute to a strong talent pipeline and support a vibrant mix of startups, established companies, and university driven research activity.
College Park is a smaller city of roughly 35,000 residents located just outside Washington, D.C. Its proximity to the nation’s capital shapes the local economy, offering access to federal agencies, research laboratories, and government contractors. Household incomes in College Park are slightly lower than Ann Arbor’s, and its cost of living is higher because of the broader D.C. metro market. Despite these differences, both communities share a strong commitment to education, innovation, and public service.
Comparing the Universities
The University of Michigan enrolls more than 50,000 students and awards over 16,000 degrees each year. With nearly $2 billion in annual research expenditures in 2023, Michigan ranks among the nation’s top five research universities. Its academic programs in engineering, business, computer science, public health, and the arts consistently earn national recognition.
The University of Maryland enrolls more than 40,000 students and graduates about 12,000 annually. Maryland invests close to $1.4 billion in research each year and ranks among the top twenty research institutions. The university is nationally known for programs in engineering, computer science, public policy, communications, and the sciences. Its location near federal laboratories and agencies also enhances opportunities for students and faculty.
Beyond the Field
Ann Arbor and College Park illustrate how major research universities fuel economic growth, innovation, and talent development in their regions. Whether advancing next generation technologies, partnering with industry, or shaping the future workforce, both universities have an impact that stretches far beyond Saturday’s game.
In Case You Missed It
Catch up on our previous posts from this season:
Game 1: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. New Mexico
Game 2: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Game 3: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Central Michigan
Game 4: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Nebraska
Game 5: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Wisconsin
Game 6: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. USC
Game 7: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Washington
Game 8: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Michigan State
Game 9: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Purdue
Game 10: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Northwestern
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