UMBC vs. Maryland

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland College Park is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (41,725 students vs. 13,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMBC vs. Maryland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Maryland? 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 College Park than UMBC ($16,581 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 5.1% lower than at University of Maryland College Park ($15,146 vs. $15,958).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maryland (about $1,447 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $11,809.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at Maryland than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $9,911 more per year; $41,186.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at University of Maryland College Park (88% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland College Park students is 26.1% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($12,867 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Maryland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland College Park (1470) is 140 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Maryland students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; University of Maryland College Park 1400/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; University of Maryland College Park 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Maryland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Maryland (3.84).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Maryland (44.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 21.6% at Maryland.

UMBC vs. Maryland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Maryland? 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 College Park's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland College Park earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,300 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland College Park graduates have a $1,697 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Maryland graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($201 vs. $219).
• More Maryland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.