UMBC vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Lafayette College based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 2,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

UMBC vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College ($18,770 vs. $38,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 23.8% lower than at Lafayette College ($15,146 vs. $19,866).
• Lafayette College is 393.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $52,142 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.1% higher at Lafayette College than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $34,123 more per year; $65,398.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Lafayette College (88% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 338.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($44,707 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 100 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Lafayette College (3.53).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

UMBC vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $4,803 lower median loan debt than Lafayette College graduates ($21,197 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lafayette College graduates ($219 vs. $268).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.