UMBC vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Penn State Erie-Behrend College based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 3,336 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Erie Behrend College is in Erie, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Erie Behrend College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Penn State Erie Behrend College 12:1.

UMBC vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Erie-Behrend College ($18,770 vs. $23,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Erie Behrend College are 4.4% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($14,474 vs. $15,146).
• Penn State Erie Behrend College is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $2,716 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16% higher at UMBC than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (about $4,317 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $26,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Penn State Erie Behrend College (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Erie Behrend College students is 5.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($10,760 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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 Erie-Behrend College and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (1220).
• Incoming UMBC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Penn State Erie Behrend College 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Penn State Erie Behrend College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Penn State Erie-Behrend College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Penn State Erie-Behrend College (3.49).
• Penn State Erie-Behrend College 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. 14.5% at Penn State Erie-Behrend College.

UMBC vs. Penn State Erie-Behrend College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Penn State Erie-Behrend College? 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).

• Penn State Erie Behrend College's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Erie-Behrend College 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 Erie-Behrend College graduates ($21,197 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Erie-Behrend College graduates ($219 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Erie-Behrend College 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.