Princeton vs Maryland (UMBC) - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Princeton admits 4.4% of applications, Maryland (UMBC) admits 72.4%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Princeton) against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Princeton awards international students $86,736 on average, Maryland (UMBC) awards $13,080.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Princeton starts at $95,624 against $54,581 and ends at $16,304 against $39,869 (Maryland (UMBC)).
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 72.43% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#7 vs #601-700). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $68,454 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 Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Maryland (UMBC) for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 72.43% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1323).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $70K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 70%).
Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $68,454); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Princeton | Maryland (UMBC) |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #7 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | #4 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 4.42% | 72.43% |
| Yield rate | 75.4% | 21.6% |
| Median SAT | 1530 | 1323 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.96 | 4.13 |
| Number of applications | 42,303 | 14,325 |
| International students | 13.1% | 4.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $110K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $68K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $197K | $101K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 70% |
| Retention rate | 99% | 85% |
| Median debt | $10,320 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,454 | $32,735 |
| Avg. aid package | $79,320 | $14,712 |
| % of need met | 100% | 47% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,251 | $22,450 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 9,281 | 13,906 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Princeton or Maryland (UMBC)?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Princeton accepts 4.42% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43%.
Do Princeton or Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Princeton vs Maryland (UMBC)?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,454 per year at Princeton and $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC).
What SAT score do you need for Princeton or Maryland (UMBC)?
The median admitted SAT score is 1530 at Princeton and 1323 at Maryland (UMBC); aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Princeton or Maryland (UMBC)?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #7 for Princeton vs #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC).
Which university offers more financial aid - Princeton or Maryland (UMBC)?
The average aid package is $79,320 at Princeton and $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC).
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