UMBC vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

UMBC vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Dickinson 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 Dickinson College ($18,770 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 11.4% lower than at Dickinson College ($15,146 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 395.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $52,394 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.9% higher at Dickinson College than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $34,375 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 335.9% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($44,479 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dickinson College (1390) is 60 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Dickinson College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Dickinson College (42.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

UMBC vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Dickinson 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Dickinson College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have a $197 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($21,000 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Dickinson College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($217 vs. $219).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.