Maryland (UMBC) vs Stanford - 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 Stanford turns away the overwhelming majority (3.8%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Stanford: 13.1% of students against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
Real money goes to international students at Stanford ($85,424 on average), while Maryland (UMBC) stops at $13,080.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Stanford lists $97,545 against $54,581 (Maryland (UMBC)), but after average aid what remains is $20,266 against $39,869.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 72.43% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $68,574 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 Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 72.43% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1323).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $70K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | - | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 60,646 |
| International students | 4.8% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 47% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $75 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Stanford?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $77,279 at Stanford.
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