Maryland (UMBC) vs Johns Hopkins - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Maryland (UMBC) accepts most of the applications it receives (72.4%), while Johns Hopkins turns away the overwhelming majority (6.4%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Johns Hopkins: 15.2% of students against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Johns Hopkins lists $89,539 against $54,581 (Maryland (UMBC)), but after average aid what remains is $22,380 against $39,869.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Johns Hopkins: $88K 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
Johns Hopkins is the more selective of the two (6.44% vs 72.43% acceptance). Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #17). Johns Hopkins graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($88K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $67,170 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 Johns Hopkins 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
Johns Hopkins is more selective (6.44% vs 72.43% acceptance); Johns Hopkins has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1323).
Johns Hopkins graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($88K vs $70K); Johns Hopkins has a higher 6-year graduation rate (93.8% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $67,170); Johns Hopkins offers a larger average aid package ($67,159 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Johns Hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #17 |
| Rank · THE | - | #16 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 6.44% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 47% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.93 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 45,895 |
| International students | 4.8% | 15.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $88K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $65K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 93.8% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $10,250 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $67,170 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $67,159 |
| % of need met | 47% | 99.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $30,803 |
| Application fee | $75 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 30,210 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Johns Hopkins?
It's harder to get into Johns Hopkins. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Johns Hopkins graduates earn more?
Johns Hopkins graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $88K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Johns Hopkins?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Johns Hopkins?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1540 at Johns Hopkins; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Johns Hopkins?
Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #17 for Johns Hopkins.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Johns Hopkins?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $67,159 at Johns Hopkins.
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