Maryland (UMBC) vs Old Dominion - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4% of applicants, while Old Dominion admits 90.4%.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Old Dominion lists $55,051 against $54,581 (Maryland (UMBC)), but after average aid what remains is $24,614 against $39,869.
Ten years on, graduates of Maryland (UMBC) earn noticeably more: $70K against $55K.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Maryland (UMBC): a midpoint of 1323 against 1197, a difference of 126 points.
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
Maryland (UMBC) is the more selective of the two (72.43% vs 90.4% acceptance). Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #801-900). Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $55K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $33,885 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, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Old Dominion for: a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Maryland (UMBC) is more selective (72.43% vs 90.4% acceptance); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher median SAT (1323 vs 1197).
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $55K); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher 6-year graduation rate (70% vs 46.3%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $33,885); Old Dominion offers a larger average aid package ($30,437 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Old Dominion |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 90.4% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 19.9% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1197 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.45 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 15,100 |
| International students | 4.8% | 1.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $55K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $37K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $80K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 46.3% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 77% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $24,000 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $33,885 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $30,437 |
| % of need met | 47% | 53% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $32,043 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 23,743 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Old Dominion?
It's harder to get into Maryland (UMBC). Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Old Dominion accepts 90.4%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Old Dominion graduates earn more?
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $55K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Old Dominion?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $33,885 per year at Old Dominion.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Old Dominion?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1197 at Old Dominion; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Old Dominion?
Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #801-900 for Old Dominion.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Old Dominion?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $30,437 at Old Dominion.
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