Boston University vs Maryland (UMBC) - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Boston University admits 12.8% of applications, Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 20.1% (Boston University) against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Boston University awards international students $56,639 on average, Maryland (UMBC) awards $13,080.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Boston University starts at $94,427 against $54,581 and ends at $25,031 against $39,869 (Maryland (UMBC)).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Boston University is the more selective of the two (12.83% vs 72.43% acceptance). Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #601-700). Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $71,372 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Maryland (UMBC) for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Boston University is more selective (12.83% vs 72.43% acceptance); Boston University has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1323).
Boston University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($83K vs $70K); Boston University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.7% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Maryland (UMBC) |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 72.43% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 21.6% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1323 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | 4.13 |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 14,325 |
| International students | 20.1% | 4.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $101K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 70% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 85% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $32,735 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $14,712 |
| % of need met | 92% | 47% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $22,450 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 13,906 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Maryland (UMBC)?
It's harder to get into Boston University. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43%.
Do Boston University or Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more?
Boston University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $83K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Maryland (UMBC)?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC).
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Maryland (UMBC)?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1323 at Maryland (UMBC); aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Maryland (UMBC)?
Boston University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC).
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Maryland (UMBC)?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC).
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern