UMBC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Penn State Lehigh Valley based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMBC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley ($18,770 vs. $19,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 0.8% lower than at Penn State Lehigh Valley ($15,146 vs. $15,274).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $1,952 more per year; $15,208.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at UMBC than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (about $5,883 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (88% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 12.6% larger than aid received by Penn State Lehigh Valley students ($10,203 vs. $9,065).

UMBC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Lehigh Valley (1230).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Penn State Lehigh Valley 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Penn State Lehigh Valley - 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 Lehigh Valley (3.42).
• Penn State Lehigh Valley has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 14% at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

UMBC vs. Penn State Lehigh Valley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Penn State Lehigh Valley? 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 Lehigh Valley's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Penn State Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley graduates ($21,197 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Lehigh Valley graduates ($219 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Lehigh Valley 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.