How much of a gap is ‘a bit more’? If it’s five to ten thousand dollars a year, that is one thing. But if it’s 20 grand a year, that is $80,000 that you and your family will not be able to spend on grad school.
The honors college at any state flagship university will have all the intellectually stimulating classes full of high achieving students that you could ask for. Full of students who are your equal and quite a few others who are smarter and/or harder-working than you. If you graduate as a top scholar from the UMD honors college, grad school doors will open for you.