Iowa State vs Maryland (UMBC) - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Maryland (UMBC): 72.4% against 88.7% (Iowa State).
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Maryland (UMBC): $70K against $63K.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Maryland (UMBC): a midpoint of 1323 against 1250, a difference of 73 points.
Both universities have a small international community (at most 4.8% of students), which is worth weighing if that environment matters to you.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 88.66% acceptance). Iowa State ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #601-700). Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Maryland (UMBC) for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Maryland (UMBC) is more selective (72.43% vs 88.66% acceptance); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher median SAT (1323 vs 1250).
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $63K); Iowa State has a higher 6-year graduation rate (75.3% vs 70%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $32,735); Iowa State offers a larger average aid package ($15,665 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Maryland (UMBC) |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 72.43% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 21.6% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1323 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | 4.13 |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 14,325 |
| International students | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $101K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 70% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 85% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $32,735 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $14,712 |
| % of need met | 78% | 47% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $22,450 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 13,906 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Maryland (UMBC)?
It's harder to get into Maryland (UMBC). Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43%.
Do Iowa State or Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more?
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Maryland (UMBC)?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC).
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Maryland (UMBC)?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1323 at Maryland (UMBC); aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Maryland (UMBC)?
Iowa State ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC).
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Maryland (UMBC)?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC).
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern