The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) was founded in 1947 as the University of Maryland College. Located in Adelphi, Maryland, it is a public online university and part of the University of Maryland System. UMGC is one of the largest public online universities in the world, with a current undergraduate enrollment of 50,793 students (including 11,395 full-time and 39,398 part-time students) and an alumni network of over 1.1 million people.
The university offers more than 135 degree and certificate programs, with over 175 classroom and service locations across more than 20 countries worldwide, and its online courses reach students globally. As Maryland’s designated open-admission university for adult learners, UMGC has provided higher education to returning World War II veterans since its inception. Its design philosophy is centered entirely on the needs of working adults and military personnel, rather than being adapted from a traditional campus model.
Global Rankings and Accreditations
UMGC has received numerous awards for the exceptional quality of its online education. In 2026, UMGC was named to Research.com’s list of “Best Online University Programs in the U.S.” and received the “Best Online Program in the U.S.” award. In 2025, UMGC ranked 3rd in the U.S. in Military Times’ “Best Colleges for Veterans” rankings; The Wall Street Journal named it one of the best universities in the U.S. for 2026. In Georgetown University’s 30-year return on investment ranking, UMGC ranked among the top 8% of public universities in the U.S. UMGC is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with its business programs accredited by ACBSP and its nursing programs accredited by CCNE. UMGC diplomas do not bear the word “online”; they are identical to other University of Maryland diplomas and carry equal weight with employers and graduate admissions offices.
Popular Majors and Application Requirements
Most Popular Majors: Information Science, Humanities and General Education, Business, Psychology, Computer and Information Systems Security. The nation’s most flexible admissions policy—100% open admissions. Undergraduate application requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, no minimum high school GPA requirement, and no need to submit SAT/ACT scores. International students must have a TOEFL score of 79 or an IELTS score of 6.5. Application fee: $50. Undergraduate out-of-state tuition: $11,976/year. Total annual cost for undergraduate studies: approximately $35,380. Approximately 62% of students receive financial aid. Average net cost: approximately $14,545. A printed copy of an American university diploma
Details of Printed Diplomas: From Issuance to Reissuance
Diploma Specifications and Design. UMGC’s paper diplomas are standard U.S. university diploma size, typically 14 inches wide × 11 inches high. The certificate bears the graduate’s name, the degree awarded (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity), and the date of conferral, and is personally signed by university officials such as the current president and the registrar. The diploma is printed on security paper and includes security features such as watermarks and microtext to ensure its authenticity and authority.
Diploma Issuance and Delivery. During graduation season, you must submit a graduation application and pay a $50 graduation fee. Your diploma will be mailed to the permanent address on file in your student records within 2–4 weeks. The diploma will not bear the word “Online” and is identical to diplomas issued by other institutions in the university system.
Digital Diploma (CeDiploma) Option. The UMGC digital diploma is an official, secure, and verifiable electronic PDF diploma. It can be downloaded immediately, stored permanently, and verified online by employers through CeCredential Trust. It holds the same legal validity as a paper diploma.
Procedure for Replacing a Lost Diploma. If you lose the physical copy of your diploma, you can submit a request on the website. By providing identification and paying a fee, a replacement will be issued. The replacement fee is approximately $55 (diploma size: 14 inches × 11 inches). The word “Replacement” will appear at the top of the diploma, but all information and authenticity will be identical to the original physical diploma. Processing time is 8–12 weeks. Additionally, a digital backup of the diploma is available to prevent loss of the physical copy.
