Maryland (UMBC) vs Rochester - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Rochester admits 40.1%, Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Rochester: 22.1% of students against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
Average aid for an international student is $41,269 (Rochester) and $13,080 (Maryland (UMBC)).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Rochester lists $93,614 against $54,581 (Maryland (UMBC)), but after average aid what remains is $32,735 against $39,869.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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
Rochester is the more selective of the two (40.08% vs 72.43% acceptance). Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #151-200). Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $70,284 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 Rochester 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
Rochester is more selective (40.08% vs 72.43% acceptance); Rochester has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1323).
Rochester graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($79K vs $70K); Rochester has a higher 6-year graduation rate (85.4% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $70,284); Rochester offers a larger average aid package ($60,879 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | - | #127 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 40.08% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.72 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 21,384 |
| International students | 4.8% | 22.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $79K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $50K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 85.4% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 90.7% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $70,284 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $60,879 |
| % of need met | 47% | 96.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $32,304 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 11,946 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Rochester?
It's harder to get into Rochester. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Rochester accepts 40.08%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Rochester graduates earn more?
Rochester graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $79K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Rochester?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $70,284 per year at Rochester.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Rochester?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1470 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Rochester?
Rochester ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #151-200 for Rochester.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Rochester?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $60,879 at Rochester.
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