Howard vs. UMBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 13,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of Maryland Baltimore County is in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1.

Howard vs. UMBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or UMBC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maryland Baltimore County than Howard ($18,770 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 12.6% lower than at Howard University ($15,146 vs. $17,322).
• Howard University is 170.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $22,554 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Howard than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $4,535 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 108.4% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($21,262 vs. $10,203).

Howard vs. UMBC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or UMBC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMBC and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 120 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Howard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; UMBC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Howard (3.66).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 21.6% at UMBC.

Howard vs. UMBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and UMBC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $5,803 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($21,197 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More UMBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.