UMBC vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (15,888 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); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

UMBC vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($18,770 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 16.6% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($15,146 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 399.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $52,990 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.8% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $34,971 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Carnegie Mellon University (88% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 371.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($48,107 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 210 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

UMBC vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Carnegie Mellon? 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $43,200 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $5,053 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($21,197 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($219 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.