UMBC vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 13,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

UMBC vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or NC 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than UMBC ($15,522 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 5.4% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($14,332 vs. $15,146).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 50.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $4,457 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at NC State than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $1,572 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (88% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 14.4% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($11,675 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 60 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming NC State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at NC State (3.83).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 31.8% at NC State.

UMBC vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and NC 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $415 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($20,782 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($214 vs. $219).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.