UMBC vs. TCNJ

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than TCNJ based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 8,141 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); The College of New Jersey is in Ewing, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of New Jersey is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; The College of New Jersey 14:1.

UMBC vs. TCNJ Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or TCNJ? 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 TCNJ ($18,770 vs. $25,580).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of New Jersey are 1.1% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($14,976 vs. $15,146).
• The College of New Jersey is 48.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $6,376 more per year; $19,632.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at UMBC than at The College of New Jersey (about $5,523 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $25,752.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at The College of New Jersey (88% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of New Jersey students is 30.9% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($13,360 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. TCNJ Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 90 points higher than at TCNJ (1240).
• Incoming UMBC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at TCNJ (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; The College of New Jersey 1140/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; The College of New Jersey 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; TCNJ - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; TCNJ Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at TCNJ (3.29).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than TCNJ (62.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 19.7% at TCNJ.

UMBC vs. TCNJ Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and TCNJ? 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).

• The College of New Jersey's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from The College of New Jersey earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,100 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $2,053 lower median loan debt than TCNJ graduates ($21,197 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCNJ graduates ($219 vs. $240).
• More TCNJ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.