UMBC vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (28,464 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); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

UMBC vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or VCU? 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 VCU ($18,770 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 17% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,146 vs. $18,254).
• Virginia Commonwealth University is 27.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $3,689 more per year; $16,945.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.2% higher at VCU than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $8,834 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County as at Virginia Commonwealth University (88% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students is 39% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($14,186 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 190 points higher than at VCU (1140).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at VCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at VCU (3.75).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 21.6% at VCU.

UMBC vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and VCU? 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 Baltimore County's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Virginia Commonwealth University's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than VCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $47,500), 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 VCU graduates ($21,197 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VCU graduates ($219 vs. $240).
• More UMBC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VCU 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.