Maryland (UMBC) vs West Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4% of applicants, while West Virginia admits 89%.
Real money goes to international students at West Virginia ($21,636 on average), while Maryland (UMBC) stops at $13,080.
Ten years on, graduates of Maryland (UMBC) earn noticeably more: $70K against $56K.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Maryland (UMBC): a midpoint of 1323 against 1110, a difference of 213 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
Maryland (UMBC) is the more selective of the two (72.43% vs 89% acceptance). West Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #501-600). Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $32,735 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose West Virginia for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Maryland (UMBC) is more selective (72.43% vs 89% acceptance); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher median SAT (1323 vs 1110).
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $56K); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher 6-year graduation rate (70% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $32,735); West Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($16,730 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (UMBC) | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 72.43% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 20,150 |
| International students | 4.8% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $32,735 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 47% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $75 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (UMBC) or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Maryland (UMBC). Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Maryland (UMBC) or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (UMBC) vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (UMBC) or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (UMBC) and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Maryland (UMBC) or West Virginia?
West Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC) vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Maryland (UMBC) or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC) and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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