Maryland (UMBC) vs Stony Brook - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Stony Brook admits 49% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
The more international environment is at Stony Brook (10.2% international students) than Maryland (UMBC) (4.8%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Maryland (UMBC) awards international students $13,080 on average, Stony Brook awards $2,834.
87 points separate the SAT profiles: 1410 (Stony Brook) against 1323.
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
Stony Brook is the more selective of the two (49.04% vs 72.43% acceptance). Stony Brook ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #301-400). Stony Brook graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $32,741 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 Stony Brook 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
Stony Brook is more selective (49.04% vs 72.43% acceptance); Stony Brook has a higher median SAT (1410 vs 1323).
Stony Brook graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $70K); Stony Brook has a higher 6-year graduation rate (75.6% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $32,741); Stony Brook offers a larger average aid package ($15,261 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Stony Brook |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 49.04% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 14.7% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1410 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | - |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 55,880 |
| International students | 4.8% | 10.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $49K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $107K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 75.6% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 89.7% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $18,228 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $32,741 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $15,261 |
| % of need met | 47% | 0.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $23,558 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 26,689 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Stony Brook?
It's harder to get into Stony Brook. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Stony Brook accepts 49.04%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Stony Brook graduates earn more?
Stony Brook graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $75K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Stony Brook?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $32,741 per year at Stony Brook.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Stony Brook?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1410 at Stony Brook; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Stony Brook?
Stony Brook ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #301-400 for Stony Brook.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Stony Brook?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $15,261 at Stony Brook.
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