UMBC vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

UMBC vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore ($18,770 vs. $22,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 25.4% lower than at Swarthmore College ($15,146 vs. $20,308).
• Swarthmore College is 394.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $52,238 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.4% higher at Swarthmore than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $34,219 more per year; $65,494.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Swarthmore College (88% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 504.1% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($61,634 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 200 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Swarthmore (3.9).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

UMBC vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Swarthmore? 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).

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Swarthmore College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $1,697 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($201 vs. $219).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.