UMBC vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

UMBC vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Sweet Briar 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 University of Maryland Baltimore County than Sweet Briar College ($18,770 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 0.6% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($15,146 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 97.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $12,904 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at UMBC than at Sweet Briar College (about $5,115 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $26,160.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 119.4% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($22,387 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 120 points higher than at Sweet Briar College (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• 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; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Sweet Briar College (3.54).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

UMBC vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Sweet Briar 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Sweet Briar College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $5,803 lower median loan debt than Sweet Briar College graduates ($21,197 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sweet Briar College graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.