Maryland (UMBC) vs Texas at Austin - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Texas at Austin admits 26.6% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Texas at Austin awards international students $21,838 on average, Maryland (UMBC) awards $13,080.
On paper the cheaper option is Maryland (UMBC): $32,735 against $44,908, which is $12,173 less a year.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Texas at Austin: 1395 against 1323, a gap of 72 points.
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
Texas at Austin is the more selective of the two (26.64% vs 72.43% acceptance). Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #45). Texas at Austin graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $44,908 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.
Choose Texas at Austin 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
Texas at Austin is more selective (26.64% vs 72.43% acceptance); Texas at Austin has a higher median SAT (1395 vs 1323).
Texas at Austin graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($75K vs $70K); Texas at Austin has a higher 6-year graduation rate (88.9% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $44,908); Texas at Austin offers a larger average aid package ($20,219 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | - |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 72,885 |
| International students | 4.8% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 47% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Texas at Austin. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Texas at Austin graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $75K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Texas at Austin?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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