Maryland (UMBC) vs Dartmouth - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Dartmouth admits 6% of applications, Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Dartmouth: 14.5% of students against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Dartmouth awards international students $87,562 on average, Maryland (UMBC) awards $13,080.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Dartmouth starts at $96,098 against $54,581 and ends at $20,797 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
Dartmouth is the more selective of the two (6.02% vs 72.43% acceptance). Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #301-400). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $71,525 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 Dartmouth 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
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 72.43% acceptance); Dartmouth has a higher median SAT (1520 vs 1323).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $70K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Dartmouth |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 6.02% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 70.9% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | - |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 28,230 |
| International students | 4.8% | 14.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $97K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $189K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 95.5% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 98% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $71,525 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $75,301 |
| % of need met | 47% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $24,255 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 7,273 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Dartmouth?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Dartmouth accepts 6.02%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Dartmouth graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Dartmouth?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $71,525 per year at Dartmouth.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Dartmouth?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1520 at Dartmouth; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Dartmouth?
Dartmouth ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #301-400 for Dartmouth.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Dartmouth?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $75,301 at Dartmouth.
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