Maryland (UMBC) vs Connecticut - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Connecticut admits 52.4%, Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Maryland (UMBC): $32,735 against $44,004, or $11,269 less a year.
These admissions operate at different scales: Connecticut reads 55,479 applications a year, its rival 14,325.
The lower full cost of study, not tuition alone, belongs to Maryland (UMBC): $54,581 against $64,100.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Connecticut is the more selective of the two (52.39% vs 72.43% acceptance). Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #301-400). Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $44,004 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 Connecticut 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
Connecticut is more selective (52.39% vs 72.43% acceptance); Connecticut has a higher median SAT (1340 vs 1323).
Connecticut graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($74K vs $70K); Connecticut has a higher 6-year graduation rate (83.3% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $44,004); Connecticut offers a larger average aid package ($21,535 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Connecticut |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 52.39% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1340 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | - |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 55,479 |
| International students | 4.8% | 7.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $74K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $50K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $109K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 83.3% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 92% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,500 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $44,004 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $21,535 |
| % of need met | 47% | 61.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $28,506 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 28,306 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Connecticut?
It's harder to get into Connecticut. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Connecticut accepts 52.39%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Connecticut graduates earn more?
Connecticut graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $74K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Connecticut?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $44,004 per year at Connecticut.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Connecticut?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1340 at Connecticut; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Connecticut?
Connecticut ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #301-400 for Connecticut.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Connecticut?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $21,535 at Connecticut.
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