UMBC Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Baltimore, MD
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UMBC Admission Overview
UMBC admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year UMBC admitted 72.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.97 GPA (A) and SAT 1240-1420 / ACT 25-31. UMBC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UMBC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
UMBC Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for University of Maryland Baltimore County
Acceptance Rate
The UMBC acceptance rate is 72.4%. Last year, 10,375 of 14,325 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in Maryland.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into UMBC and can you get accepted?
UMBC is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
University of Maryland Baltimore County typically 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. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UMBC GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.97Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
AAverage GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.97
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at UMBC typically have around a 3.97 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. UMBC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
52% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in Maryland for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
UMBC SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1240-1420Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
27%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 630
- Math 610
- Composite 1240
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 700
- Math 720
- Composite 1420
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at UMBC typically score around a 1330 SAT (middle 50% 1240–1420) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 90th percentile nationally. UMBC ranks #4 in the state of Maryland and #163 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1240 to 1420
SAT policy
UMBC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1330 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
UMBC ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
25-31Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
3%25th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 24
- Composite 25
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 29
- Composite 31
Average ACT
Incoming testers at UMBC typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 25–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UMBC places #8 among colleges in Maryland and #211 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 31
ACT policy
You may apply to UMBC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the UMBC chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Maryland Baltimore County and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Feb 1, 2027Days left to Apply
133Applicants have 133 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Maryland Baltimore County is $75.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
UMBC is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 72.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.97 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1240-1420); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Maryland Baltimore County often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=163268.
GPA calculator: University of Maryland Baltimore County GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026