Maryland (UMBC) vs Illinois Urbana-Champaign - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Illinois Urbana-Champaign admits 42.4% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
The more international environment is at Illinois Urbana-Champaign (14.9% international students) than Maryland (UMBC) (4.8%).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Illinois Urbana-Champaign starts at $57,284 against $54,581 and ends at $34,067 against $39,869 (Maryland (UMBC)).
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Illinois Urbana-Champaign: $81K against $70K.
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
Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the more selective of the two (42.37% vs 72.43% acceptance). Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #55). Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $38,400 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.
Choose Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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
Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more selective (42.37% vs 72.43% acceptance); Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1323).
Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($81K vs $70K); Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.1% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $38,400); Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a larger average aid package ($23,217 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #55 |
| Rank · THE | - | #46 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 42.37% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | - |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 73,742 |
| International students | 4.8% | 14.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $55K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 85.1% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 94.8% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $38,400 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $23,217 |
| % of need met | 47% | 0.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $22,395 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 59,238 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
It's harder to get into Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts 42.37%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $81K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $38,400 per year at Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1470 at Illinois Urbana-Champaign; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #55 for Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $23,217 at Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
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