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#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

UMBC Admission Requirements

Baltimore, Maryland

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Your chances of getting into University of Maryland Baltimore County

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

80.6%
Admission Difficulty for University of Maryland Baltimore County
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UMBC is 80.6%.  Its admission rate is the 18th lowest in Maryland.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UMBC and can you get accepted?

University of Maryland Baltimore County is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 9,291 out of the 11,534 who applied were admitted.

University of Maryland Baltimore County typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.97. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UMBC?

81% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Maryland Baltimore County you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.97 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1300 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

UMBC GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.97

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Maryland Baltimore County?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UMBC are to have around a 3.97 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.97 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as UMBC accepts 81% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UMBC is 3.97 on the 4.0 scale. 52% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #1 in Maryland for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UMBC is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Maryland Baltimore County students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 52.0% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 20.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 15.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 7.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 4.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 2.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UMBC SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Maryland Baltimore County. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 31% of students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1210-1390

Applicants Submitting SAT 

31%
SAT Scores for University of Maryland Baltimore County
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 610
Math 25th Percentile 600
Composite 25th Percentile 1210
SAT Scores for University of Maryland Baltimore County
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 690
Math 75th Percentile 700
Composite 75th Percentile 1390
Average SAT Score 1300

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Maryland Baltimore County?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UMBC is 1300 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1210-1390. Students who get into University of Maryland Baltimore County score in the top 23 percent of all SAT test takers..  UMBC ranks #5 in the state of Maryland and #185 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1300 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UMBC regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1210 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1210, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1120, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Maryland Baltimore County is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1300 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1300, you have around a 81% chance of being admitted. A 1390 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 89% chance of getting in.

University of Maryland Baltimore County admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1390 and Above Good >89%
1300 to 1390 Avg + 81%-89%
1210 to 1300 Avg - 69%-81%
1120 to 1210 Reach 54%-69%
Less than 1120 Low <54%
Calculate My Chances 

UMBC ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

4%
ACT Scores for University of Maryland Baltimore County
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 21
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for University of Maryland Baltimore County
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UMBC?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UMBC is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 29.  The school ranks #9 in Maryland for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

4 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Maryland Baltimore County is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UMBC for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 81% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 89% with a 29 ACT score.

University of Maryland Baltimore County admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >89%
26 to 29 Avg + 81%-89%
23 to 26 Avg - 69%-81%
20 to 23 Reach 54%-69%
Less than 20 Low <54%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

61% of University of Maryland Baltimore County freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 29% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Maryland Baltimore County students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 29%
Top 25% of class 61%
Top 50% of class 91%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Maryland Baltimore County admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,892 5,337 11,534
Accepted 4,780 4,267 9,291
Acceptance Rate 81% 80% 81%
Enrolled 963 1,117 2,144
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 20% 26% 23%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

70

Applicants have 70 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Maryland Baltimore County is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Maryland Baltimore County and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Maryland Baltimore County Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Maryland Baltimore County
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Maryland Baltimore County is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.97 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1300 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Maryland Baltimore County often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=163268 IPEDS survey data for University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Last updated February 24, 2024