University of Rhode Island
KINGSTON, RI
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Rhode Island vs Maryland (UMBC) - US university comparison

University of Rhode Island
RHODE ISLAND
Kingston, RI
World rank · ARWU#801-900
Acceptance72.2%
Median SAT1160
Graduation rate73.3%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
MARYLAND (UMBC)
Baltimore, Maryland
World rank · ARWU#601-700
Acceptance72.43%
Median SAT1323
Graduation rate70%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

University of Rhode Island University of Maryland, Baltimore County
#801-900 World rank · ARWU #601-700
- Rank · THE -
72.2% Acceptance rate 72.43%
1160 Median SAT 1323
73.3% Graduation rate 70%
14,466 Enrollment 13,906

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

72.2% Acceptance rate 72.43%
16.4% Yield rate 21.6%
1160 Median SAT 1323
3.65 Avg. GPA 4.13
28,021 Number of applications 14,325
1.2% Int'l students 4.8%
$70K Median earnings · 10 yrs $70K
$44K Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs $45K
$102K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $101K
73.3% Graduation rate 70%
85% Retention rate 85%
$22,250 Median debt $19,500
$38,398 Tuition · year $32,735
$17,595 Avg. aid package $14,712
57% % of need met 47%
$42,945 Avg. graduate debt $22,450
$65 Application fee $75
$26,565 Avg. int'l aid $13,080
At a glance
Maryland (UMBC) leads in 7 of 12 measured metrics
Grad. debt$42,945 vs $22,450
Yield16.4% vs 21.6%
% of need57% vs 47%

The verdict, from the data

For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rhode Island awards international students $26,565 on average, Maryland (UMBC) awards $13,080.

The tuition gap is $5,663 a year: $32,735 (Maryland (UMBC)) against $38,398.

163 points separate the SAT profiles: 1323 (Maryland (UMBC)) against 1160.

Both universities have a small international community (at most 4.8% of students), which is worth weighing if that environment matters to you.

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

Rhode Island is the more selective of the two (72.2% vs 72.43% acceptance). Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #601-700). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($70K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $38,398 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 Rhode Island for: higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.

Choose Maryland (UMBC) for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Rhode Island is more selective (72.2% vs 72.43% acceptance); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher median SAT (1323 vs 1160).

Graduate outcomes

Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $70K); Rhode Island has a higher 6-year graduation rate (73.3% vs 70%).

Cost and aid

Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $38,398); Rhode Island offers a larger average aid package ($17,595 vs $14,712).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$35k$59k$83kRhode IslandMaryland (UMBC) TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Rhode Island and Maryland (UMBC) highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Rhode Island Maryland (UMBC)
World rank · ARWU#801-900#601-700
Rank · THE--
Acceptance rate72.2%72.43%
Yield rate16.4%21.6%
Median SAT11601323
Avg. GPA3.654.13
Number of applications28,02114,325
International students1.2%4.8%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K$70K
Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs$44K$45K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$102K$101K
Graduation rate73.3%70%
Retention rate85%85%
Median debt$22,250$19,500
Tuition · year$38,398$32,735
Avg. aid package$17,595$14,712
% of need met57%47%
Avg. graduate debt$42,945$22,450
Application fee$65$75
Enrollment14,46613,906

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Maryland (UMBC)?

It's harder to get into Rhode Island. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43%.

Do Rhode Island or Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more?

Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $70K at Rhode Island and $70K at Maryland (UMBC).

How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Maryland (UMBC)?

Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC).

What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Maryland (UMBC)?

The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1323 at Maryland (UMBC); aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Maryland (UMBC)?

Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC).

Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Maryland (UMBC)?

The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC).

Compare Rhode Island with
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Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).
All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) - admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "-" = not yet in canonical.