UMBC vs. Holy Cross

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Holy Cross based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 3,126 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); College of the Holy Cross is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Holy Cross is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; College of the Holy Cross 9:1.

UMBC vs. Holy Cross Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Holy Cross? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Maryland Baltimore County than Holy Cross ($18,770 vs. $36,014).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 19.5% lower than at College of the Holy Cross ($15,146 vs. $18,820).
• College of the Holy Cross is 386.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $51,244 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.2% higher at Holy Cross than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $33,225 more per year; $64,500.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at College of the Holy Cross (88% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Holy Cross students is 334.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($44,334 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Holy Cross Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Holy Cross? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Holy Cross and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maryland Baltimore County (1330) is the same as at Holy Cross (1330).
• Incoming Holy Cross students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; College of the Holy Cross 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; College of the Holy Cross 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Holy Cross - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Holy Cross Jan 15, 2027.
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Holy Cross (17.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 49.6% at Holy Cross.

UMBC vs. Holy Cross Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Holy Cross? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• College of the Holy Cross's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from College of the Holy Cross earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,400 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $6,303 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross graduates ($21,197 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross graduates ($219 vs. $284).
• More Holy Cross graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.