UMBC vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with Duke University in Durham, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 13,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maryland Baltimore County is located in Baltimore, MD (Large Suburban setting); Duke University is in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Duke University 5:1.

UMBC vs. Duke Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Duke? 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 Duke ($18,770 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 16.4% lower than at Duke University ($15,146 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 418.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $55,502 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.8% higher at Duke than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $37,483 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Duke University (88% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 542.2% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($65,522 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Duke Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or Duke? 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 Duke and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 210 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Duke students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Duke University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Duke University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Duke - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Duke Jan 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Duke (3.94).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 58.8% at Duke.

UMBC vs. Duke Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Duke? 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $49,400 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $13,697 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($77 vs. $219).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.