Maryland (UMBC) vs Brandeis - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Brandeis: 40.5% against 72.4% (Maryland (UMBC)).
The larger international cohort belongs to Brandeis: 19.3% of students against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
Real money goes to international students at Brandeis ($56,730 on average), while Maryland (UMBC) stops at $13,080.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Brandeis starts at $93,441 against $54,581 and ends at $35,934 against $39,869 (Maryland (UMBC)).
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
Brandeis is the more selective of the two (40.47% vs 72.43% acceptance). Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #301-400). Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $70,957 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 Maryland (UMBC) for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Brandeis for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Brandeis is more selective (40.47% vs 72.43% acceptance); Brandeis has a higher median SAT (1460 vs 1323).
Brandeis graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($77K vs $70K); Brandeis has a higher 6-year graduation rate (86% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $70,957); Brandeis offers a larger average aid package ($57,507 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Brandeis |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 40.47% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 17.5% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1460 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 10,462 |
| International students | 4.8% | 19.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $77K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $52K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 86% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 87% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $25,648 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $70,957 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $57,507 |
| % of need met | 47% | 94.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $27,004 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 5,205 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Brandeis?
It's harder to get into Brandeis. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Brandeis accepts 40.47%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Brandeis graduates earn more?
Brandeis graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $77K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Brandeis?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $70,957 per year at Brandeis.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Brandeis?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1460 at Brandeis; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Brandeis?
Brandeis ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #301-400 for Brandeis.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Brandeis?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $57,507 at Brandeis.
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