ST. LOUIS, MO

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Washington University vs Maryland (UMBC) - US university comparison

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

St. Louis, MO

World rank · ARWU#23

Acceptance12.1%

Median SAT1540

Graduation rate94.3%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$86K

MARYLAND (UMBC)

Baltimore, Maryland

World rank · ARWU#601-700

Acceptance72.43%

Median SAT1323

Graduation rate70%

Median earnings · 10 yrs$70K

🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

Washington University in St. Louis University of Maryland, Baltimore County

#23 World rank · ARWU #601-700

#69 Rank · THE -

12.1% Acceptance rate 72.43%

1540 Median SAT 1323

94.3% Graduation rate 70%

16,357 Enrollment 13,906

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

12.1% Acceptance rate 72.43%

46.7% Yield rate 21.6%

1540 Median SAT 1323

4.19 Avg. GPA 4.13

32,754 Number of applications 14,325

9.4% Int'l students 4.8%

At a glance

Washington University leads in 10 of 12 measured metrics

Acceptance12.1% vs 72.43%

Aid$75,604 vs $14,712

Yield46.7% vs 21.6%

The verdict, from the data

Maryland (UMBC) accepts most of the applications it receives (72.4%), while Washington University turns away the overwhelming majority (12.1%).

Real money goes to international students at Washington University ($68,438 on average), while Maryland (UMBC) stops at $13,080.

The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Washington University lists $94,289 against $54,581 (Maryland (UMBC)), but after average aid what remains is $18,685 against $39,869.

The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Washington University: $86K against $70K.

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

Washington University is the more selective of the two (12.1% vs 72.43% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#23 vs #601-700). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $70K). Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $69,594 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.

Choose Maryland (UMBC) for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.

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

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Washington University is more selective (12.1% vs 72.43% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1323).

Graduate outcomes

Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $70K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 70%).

Cost and aid

Maryland (UMBC) has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,735 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $14,712).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

Each dot is a comparable US university; Washington University and Maryland (UMBC) highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric	Washington University	Maryland (UMBC)
World rank · ARWU	#23	#601-700
Rank · THE	#69	-
Acceptance rate	12.1%	72.43%
Yield rate	46.7%	21.6%
Median SAT	1540	1323
Avg. GPA	4.19	4.13
Number of applications	32,754	14,325
International students	9.4%	4.8%
Median earnings · 10 yrs	$86K	$70K
Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs	$61K	$45K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs	$137K	$101K
Graduation rate	94.3%	70%
Retention rate	95%	85%
Median debt	$17,500	$19,500
Tuition · year	$69,594	$32,735
Avg. aid package	$75,604	$14,712
% of need met	100%	47%
Avg. graduate debt	$26,666	$22,450
Application fee	$75	$75
Enrollment	16,357	13,906

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Washington University or Maryland (UMBC)?

It's harder to get into Washington University. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43%.

Do Washington University or Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more?

Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $70K.

How much is tuition at Washington University vs Maryland (UMBC)?

Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC).

What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Maryland (UMBC)?

The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1323 at Maryland (UMBC); aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Maryland (UMBC)?

Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC).

Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Maryland (UMBC)?

The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC).

Compare Washington University with

Harvard

Stanford

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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.