UMBC vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

UMBC vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Elms College? 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 Elms College ($18,770 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 2.9% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($15,146 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 226.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $30,069 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.5% higher at Elms College than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $12,050 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 231.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($33,794 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 90 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

UMBC vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Elms College? 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).

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $3,803 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($21,197 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($219 vs. $258).
• More UMBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 61%)

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.