UMBC vs. Colgate

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Colgate University 9:1.

UMBC vs. Colgate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Colgate? 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 Colgate ($18,770 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 14% lower than at Colgate University ($15,146 vs. $17,610).
• Colgate University is 430.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $57,050 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.8% higher at Colgate than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $39,031 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Colgate University (88% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 471.7% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($58,334 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Colgate Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 160 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Colgate students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Colgate University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Colgate University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Colgate - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

UMBC vs. Colgate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Colgate? 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $5,072 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($16,125 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($166 vs. $219).
• More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.