Houston vs Maryland (UMBC) - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $13,080 (Maryland (UMBC)) and $4,456 (Houston).
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Maryland (UMBC): $70K against $62K.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Maryland (UMBC): 1323 against 1240, a gap of 83 points.
More than twice the application volume goes to Houston (31,716 against 14,325), which changes how any single file is read.
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
Maryland (UMBC) is the more selective of the two (72.43% vs 73.92% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #601-700). Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $32,735 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 Houston for: a higher world ranking, higher retention, lower tuition.
Choose Maryland (UMBC) for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Maryland (UMBC) is more selective (72.43% vs 73.92% acceptance); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher median SAT (1323 vs 1240).
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $62K); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher 6-year graduation rate (70% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $32,735); Houston offers a larger average aid package ($16,450 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Maryland (UMBC) |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 72.43% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 21.6% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1323 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 4.13 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 14,325 |
| International students | 5.7% | 4.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $101K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 70% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 85% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $32,735 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $14,712 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 47% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $22,450 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 13,906 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Maryland (UMBC)?
It's harder to get into Maryland (UMBC). Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43%.
Do Houston or Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more?
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Maryland (UMBC)?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC).
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Maryland (UMBC)?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1323 at Maryland (UMBC); aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Maryland (UMBC)?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC).
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Maryland (UMBC)?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC).
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