Maryland (UMBC) vs NJIT - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at NJIT ($28,025 on average), while Maryland (UMBC) stops at $13,080.
Ten years on, graduates of NJIT earn noticeably more: $84K against $70K.
The lower full cost of study, not tuition alone, belongs to Maryland (UMBC): $54,581 against $62,714.
The gap in debt at the start of a career is $10,009: $22,450 (Maryland (UMBC)) against $32,459.
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
NJIT is the more selective of the two (65.08% vs 72.43% acceptance). Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #701-800). NJIT graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($84K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $37,664 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: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose NJIT for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
NJIT is more selective (65.08% vs 72.43% acceptance); NJIT has a higher median SAT (1340 vs 1323).
NJIT graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($84K vs $70K); NJIT has a higher 6-year graduation rate (72.8% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $37,664); NJIT offers a larger average aid package ($18,661 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | NJIT |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #701-800 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 65.08% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 17.2% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1340 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.73 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 15,607 |
| International students | 4.8% | 6.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $84K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $56K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $113K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 72.8% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 90% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $37,664 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $18,661 |
| % of need met | 47% | 56.8% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $32,459 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 13,247 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or NJIT?
It's harder to get into NJIT. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while NJIT accepts 65.08%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or NJIT graduates earn more?
NJIT graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $84K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs NJIT?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $37,664 per year at NJIT.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or NJIT?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1340 at NJIT; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or NJIT?
Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #701-800 for NJIT.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or NJIT?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $18,661 at NJIT.
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