Wyoming vs Maryland (UMBC) - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Maryland (UMBC): 72.4% against 96.9% (Wyoming).
The tuition gap is $7,720 a year: $25,015 (Wyoming) against $32,735.
Ten years on, graduates of Maryland (UMBC) earn noticeably more: $70K against $57K.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Maryland (UMBC): 1323 against 1140, a gap of 183 points.
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
Maryland (UMBC) is the more selective of the two (72.43% vs 96.9% acceptance). Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#701-800 vs #601-700). Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K). Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 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 Wyoming for: lower tuition.
Choose Maryland (UMBC) 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
Maryland (UMBC) is more selective (72.43% vs 96.9% acceptance); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher median SAT (1323 vs 1140).
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($70K vs $57K); Maryland (UMBC) has a higher 6-year graduation rate (70% vs 58.8%).
Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($25,015 vs $32,735); Maryland (UMBC) offers a larger average aid package ($14,712 vs $12,129).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Wyoming | Maryland (UMBC) |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #701-800 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 96.9% | 72.43% |
| Yield rate | 23.8% | 21.6% |
| Median SAT | 1140 | 1323 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.55 | 4.13 |
| Number of applications | 6,217 | 14,325 |
| International students | 1.8% | 4.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $70K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $37K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $101K |
| Graduation rate | 58.8% | 70% |
| Retention rate | 79% | 85% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $19,500 |
| Tuition · year | $25,015 | $32,735 |
| Avg. aid package | $12,129 | $14,712 |
| % of need met | 57.6% | 47% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,921 | $22,450 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 10,813 | 13,906 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Wyoming or Maryland (UMBC)?
It's harder to get into Maryland (UMBC). Wyoming accepts 96.9% of applicants, while Maryland (UMBC) accepts 72.43%.
Do Wyoming or Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more?
Maryland (UMBC) graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $70K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Wyoming vs Maryland (UMBC)?
Sticker-price tuition is $25,015 per year at Wyoming and $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC).
What SAT score do you need for Wyoming or Maryland (UMBC)?
The median admitted SAT score is 1140 at Wyoming and 1323 at Maryland (UMBC); aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Wyoming or Maryland (UMBC)?
Maryland (UMBC) ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #701-800 for Wyoming vs #601-700 for Maryland (UMBC).
Which university offers more financial aid - Wyoming or Maryland (UMBC)?
The average aid package is $12,129 at Wyoming and $14,712 at Maryland (UMBC).
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