UMBC vs. OWU

Should I go to University of Maryland Baltimore County or Ohio Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UMBC or OWU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Maryland TU Mason UD Penn State NJIT UB Virginia Tech Rutgers UC Howard Stevens
University of Maryland Baltimore County vs. Ohio Wesleyan University comparison
University of Maryland Baltimore County Ohio Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
University of Maryland Baltimore County Ohio Wesleyan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 UMBC OWU
Location Baltimore, MD Delaware, OH
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 14,148 1,452
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #263 #369
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umbc.edu owu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UMBC OWU
Tuition (In State) $9,238 $51,771
Tuition (Out of State) $26,594 $51,771
Room & Board $14,204 $14,226
Avg Net Price $17,704 $23,826
Avg Grant Aid $9,956 $42,496
% Receiving Grant Aid 87% 100%

Admission

 UMBC OWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,150 5,708
Admitted 9,762 2,892
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 50.7%
Enrolled % 20.3% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.97 3.54
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 23/30 25/31
SAT Range 1220/1410 1105/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2026 Mar 1, 2026

Academics

 UMBC OWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Computer and Information Sciences (17%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Foreign Languages (8%)

Outcomes

 UMBC OWU
Graduation Rate 57% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,500 $49,600
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,197 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $219 $279

Diversity

 UMBC OWU
% Men 14% 0%
% Women 12% 0%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 44% 70%
% Black 17% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 5%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

 UMBC OWU
% In-State 85% 66%
% Out-of-State 6% 27%

Campus

 UMBC OWU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than than OWU based on total student enrollment (14,148 students vs. 1,452 students)

UMBC vs. OWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or OWU?

  • Ohio Wesleyan University is 460.4% more expensive to attend than UMBC for in-state tuition ($51,771.00 vs. $9,238.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.7% higher at OWU than University of Maryland Baltimore County ($51,771.00 vs. $26,594.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maryland Baltimore County than OWU ($17,704 vs. $23,826)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 0.2% lower than costs at Ohio Wesleyan University ($14,204 vs. $14,226)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ohio Wesleyan University than University of Maryland Baltimore County (100% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Wesleyan University students is 326.8% larger than aid received University of Maryland Baltimore County ($42,496 vs. $9,956)

UMBC vs. OWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or OWU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between OWU or UMBC .

  • Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at OWU (3.54)
  • UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than OWU (50.7%)

UMBC vs. OWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UMBC or OWU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between OWU and UMBC.

  • The graduation rate at OWU is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County (61% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn on average $9,900 more per year than OWU graduates after ten years. ($59,500 vs. $49,600)
  • University of Maryland Baltimore County students graduate with a $5,803 lower median federal student loan debt than OWU graduates. ($21,197 vs. $27,000)
  • UMBC graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans than OWU graduates. ($219 vs. $279)
  • More OWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/