Maryland (UMBC) vs Virginia - 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 Virginia turns away the overwhelming majority (16.8%).
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Maryland (UMBC) awards them $13,080 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
On paper the cheaper option is Maryland (UMBC): $32,735 against $62,923, which is $30,188 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Virginia: $87K against $70K.
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
Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.81% vs 72.43% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $62,923 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 Virginia 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
Virginia is more selective (16.81% vs 72.43% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1323).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $70K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $62,923); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | - |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 58,951 |
| International students | 4.8% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 47% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Virginia. Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or Virginia?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or Virginia?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $37,123 at Virginia.
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