UMBC vs. PHC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than PHC based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 425 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Patrick Henry College is in Purcellville, Virginia (Town Fringe setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Patrick Henry College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Patrick Henry College 14:1.

UMBC vs. PHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or PHC? 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 PHC ($18,770 vs. $25,869).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Patrick Henry College are 27.2% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($11,020 vs. $15,146).
• Patrick Henry College is 114.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $15,169 more per year; $28,425.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at UMBC than at Patrick Henry College (about $2,850 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $28,425.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Patrick Henry College than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Patrick Henry College students is 30.8% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($13,345 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. PHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or PHC? 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 PHC and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is the same as at PHC (1330).
• Incoming PHC 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; Patrick Henry College 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Patrick Henry College 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; PHC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; PHC Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at PHC (3.83).
• PHC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 47.6% at PHC.

UMBC vs. PHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and PHC? 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).

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.