UMBC vs. Princeton

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than Princeton based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 9,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMBC vs. Princeton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Princeton? 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 Princeton University than UMBC ($15,313 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 25.2% lower than at Princeton University ($15,146 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 372.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $49,432 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.4% higher at Princeton than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $31,413 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Princeton University (88% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 573.6% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($68,727 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. Princeton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 220 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Princeton 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; Princeton University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Princeton University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Princeton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Princeton Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Princeton (3.93).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 75.5% at Princeton.

UMBC vs. Princeton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Princeton? 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $54,400 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $13,697 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($7,500 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($77 vs. $219).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.