UMBC vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UMBC vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than UMBC ($18,427 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 2.3% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($14,800 vs. $15,146).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 64.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $8,547 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.3% higher at UVA than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $28,237 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at University of Virginia Main Campus (88% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 181.4% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($28,715 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 150 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming UVA 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 Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 40% at UVA.

UMBC vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $17,700 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $1,697 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($201 vs. $219).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.