UMBC vs. Penn State Abington

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Penn State Abington based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 2,885 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Abington is in Abington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Abington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Penn State Abington 14:1.

UMBC vs. Penn State Abington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington ($18,770 vs. $19,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Abington are 4.4% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($14,474 vs. $15,146).
• Penn State Abington is 15.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $2,012 more per year; $15,268.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at UMBC than at Penn State Abington (about $5,611 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $25,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Penn State Abington (88% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Penn State Abington students ($10,203 vs. $9,883).

UMBC vs. Penn State Abington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Penn State Abington? 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 Penn State Abington and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 160 points higher than at Penn State Abington (1170).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Abington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Penn State Abington 1070/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Penn State Abington 23/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Penn State Abington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Penn State Abington (3.42).
• Penn State Abington has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 11.2% at Penn State Abington.

UMBC vs. Penn State Abington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Penn State Abington? 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).

• University of Maryland Baltimore County's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Penn State Abington's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Abington graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $5,621 lower median loan debt than Penn State Abington graduates ($21,197 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Abington graduates ($219 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Abington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.