Maryland (UMBC) vs Kansas State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Ten years on, graduates of Maryland (UMBC) earn noticeably more: $70K against $57K.
173 points separate the SAT profiles: 1323 (Maryland (UMBC)) against 1150.
Neither is international in practice: the share of foreign students does not exceed 4.8%.
The lower full cost of study, not tuition alone, belongs to Kansas State: $43,928 against $54,581.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Maryland (UMBC) is the more selective of the two (72.43% vs 82% acceptance). Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #501-600). Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K). Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $32,735 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, lower graduate debt.
Choose Kansas State for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Maryland (UMBC) is more selective (72.43% vs 82% acceptance); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher median SAT (1323 vs 1150).
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K); Kansas State has a higher 6-year graduation rate (71.1% vs 70%).
Kansas State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,568 vs $32,735); Kansas State offers a larger average aid package ($15,968 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Kansas State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 82% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 27.5% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1150 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.81 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 15,432 |
| International students | 4.8% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $57K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $83K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 71.1% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 85.6% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,250 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $28,568 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $15,968 |
| % of need met | 47% | 77% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $25,179 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 20,295 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Kansas State?
It's harder to get into Maryland (UMBC). Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Kansas State accepts 82%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Kansas State graduates earn more?
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Kansas State?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $28,568 per year at Kansas State.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Kansas State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1150 at Kansas State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Kansas State?
Kansas State ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #501-600 for Kansas State.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Kansas State?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $15,968 at Kansas State.
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