UMBC vs. Penn State Harrisburg

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Penn State Harrisburg based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 4,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Harrisburg is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Penn State Harrisburg 15:1.

UMBC vs. Penn State Harrisburg Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg ($18,770 vs. $23,788).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Harrisburg are 4.4% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($14,474 vs. $15,146).
• Penn State Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg (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 Harrisburg (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 10.4% larger than aid received by Penn State Harrisburg students ($10,203 vs. $9,245).

UMBC vs. Penn State Harrisburg Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 110 points higher than at Penn State Harrisburg (1220).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Penn State Harrisburg 1120/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Penn State Harrisburg 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Penn State Harrisburg - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Penn State Harrisburg (3.48).
• Penn State Harrisburg has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 11.2% at Penn State Harrisburg.

UMBC vs. Penn State Harrisburg Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Penn State Harrisburg? 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 Harrisburg's six-year graduation rate (63%) 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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg graduates ($21,197 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Harrisburg graduates ($219 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Harrisburg 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.