UMBC vs. Dakota State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Dakota State based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 3,774 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Dakota State University is in Madison, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Dakota State University 18:1.

UMBC vs. Dakota State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Dakota State? 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 Dakota State ($18,770 vs. $20,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dakota State University are 35.7% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($9,742 vs. $15,146).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dakota State (about $3,602 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $9,654.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.2% higher at UMBC than at Dakota State University (about $18,519 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $12,756.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County as at Dakota State University (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 90% larger than aid received by Dakota State University students ($10,203 vs. $5,371).

UMBC vs. Dakota State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 10 points higher than at Dakota State (1320).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Dakota State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Dakota State University 1190/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Dakota State University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Dakota State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Dakota State (3.33).
• Dakota State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 18% at Dakota State.

UMBC vs. Dakota State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Dakota State? 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).

• University of Maryland Baltimore County's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Dakota State University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than Dakota State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $2,303 lower median loan debt than Dakota State graduates ($21,197 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dakota State graduates ($219 vs. $242).
• More Dakota State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.