UMBC vs. ASU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Appalachian State University is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (21,570 students vs. 13,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Appalachian State University is in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Appalachian State University 16:1.

UMBC vs. ASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or ASU? 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 Appalachian State University than UMBC ($14,978 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 15% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($12,868 vs. $15,146).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 74.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $5,677 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at UMBC than at Appalachian State University (about $6,063 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Appalachian State University (88% vs. 46%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($10,203 vs. $8,014).

UMBC vs. ASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or ASU? 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 ASU and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 130 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Appalachian State University 1120/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Appalachian State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; ASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; ASU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at ASU (3.96).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 18.2% at ASU.

UMBC vs. ASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and ASU? 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).

• Appalachian State University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Appalachian State University graduates have a $697 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, ASU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($211 vs. $219).
• More ASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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.