UMBC vs. Wake Forest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with Wake Forest University 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 Wake Forest based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 9,322 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Wake Forest University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Wake Forest University 10:1.

UMBC vs. Wake Forest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Wake Forest? 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 Wake Forest ($18,770 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 18.1% lower than at Wake Forest University ($15,146 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 410.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $54,386 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.3% higher at Wake Forest than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $36,367 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Wake Forest University (88% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 518.6% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($63,117 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Wake Forest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wake Forest University (1470) is 140 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Wake Forest 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; Wake Forest University 1410/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Wake Forest University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Wake Forest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027.
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Wake Forest (21.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 36.1% at Wake Forest.

UMBC vs. Wake Forest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Wake Forest? 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).

• Wake Forest University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Wake Forest University 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 Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $1,803 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($21,197 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($219 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.