UMBC vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

UMBC vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than UMBC ($14,782 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 8.7% lower than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute ($15,146 vs. $16,584).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 53.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $4,631 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.4% higher at UMBC than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $10,060 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 22.1% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($10,203 vs. $8,357).

UMBC vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or SUNY Poly? 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 SUNY Poly and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 130 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

UMBC vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $4,612 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($16,585 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($171 vs. $219).
• More UMBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 63%)

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.