UMBC vs. Western Washington University

Comparable Facts

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

Western Washington University is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (14,710 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); Western Washington University is in Bellingham, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Western Washington University 18:1.

UMBC vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University ($18,770 vs. $24,338).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 3.8% lower than at Western Washington University ($15,146 vs. $15,747).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Washington University (about $3,674 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $9,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at UMBC than at Western Washington University (about $2,568 more per year; $31,275.00 vs. $28,707.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Washington University than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (93% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Western Washington University students ($10,203 vs. $6,902).

UMBC vs. Western Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is 60 points higher than at Western Washington University (1270).
• Incoming UMBC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Western Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Western Washington University 1150/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Western Washington University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Western Washington University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Western Washington University Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Western Washington University (3.46).
• Western Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.2%) than UMBC (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 22.9% at Western Washington University.

UMBC vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Western Washington University? 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).

• Western Washington University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Western Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have a $1,784 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($19,413 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Western Washington University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($200 vs. $219).
• More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.