UMBC vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

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

Clemson University is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (29,077 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); Clemson University is in Clemson, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clemson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Clemson University 16:1.

UMBC vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Clemson? 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 Clemson ($18,770 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 12.3% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($13,284 vs. $15,146).
• Clemson University is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $2,298 more per year; $15,554.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at Clemson than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $9,591 more per year; $40,866.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Clemson University (88% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clemson University students is 11.6% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($11,389 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Clemson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Clemson and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is the same as at Clemson (1330).
• Incoming Clemson students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (30 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Clemson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMBC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Clemson (3.75).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Clemson (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

UMBC vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Clemson? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Clemson University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $57,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $303 lower median loan debt than Clemson graduates ($21,197 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More Clemson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.