UMBC vs. UNCSA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than UNCSA based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 1,111 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in Winston Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 6:1.

UMBC vs. UNCSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or UNCSA? 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 North Carolina School of the Arts than UMBC ($13,140 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina School of the Arts are 10.8% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($13,517 vs. $15,146).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 39.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNCSA (about $3,779 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $9,477.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.9% higher at UMBC than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (about $4,064 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $27,211.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (88% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina School of the Arts students is 26.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($12,876 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. UNCSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 70 points higher than at UNCSA (1260).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at UNCSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 1140/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; University of North Carolina School of the Arts 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; UNCSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; UNCSA Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UNCSA (3.75).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than UNCSA (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 55.5% at UNCSA.

UMBC vs. UNCSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and UNCSA? 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 North Carolina School of the Arts's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $20,400 more per year than UNCSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $39,100), 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 UNCSA graduates ($21,197 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNCSA graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More UMBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNCSA students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 56%)

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.