UMBC vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

UMBC vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than UMBC ($18,211 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 7.8% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($15,146 vs. $16,436).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 48.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $4,303 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.9% higher at UMBC than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $12,072 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at SUNY at Purchase College (88% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students is 2.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($10,432 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Purchase 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 Purchase College and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 50 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming UMBC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Purchase College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

UMBC vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Purchase 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).

• University of Maryland Baltimore County's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $1,303 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($21,197 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($219 vs. $232).
• More UMBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 65%)

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.