UMBC vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Lehigh based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 7,692 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMBC vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Lehigh? 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 Lehigh ($18,770 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 12% lower than at Lehigh University ($15,146 vs. $17,220).
• Lehigh University is 390.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $51,724 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.8% higher at Lehigh than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $33,705 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Lehigh University (88% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 358% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($46,731 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Lehigh? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lehigh and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 110 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (32 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMBC students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Lehigh (3.81).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Lehigh (25.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

UMBC vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Lehigh? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $29,700 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $3,059 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($21,197 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh 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.