UMBC vs. UMass

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (31,726 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); University of Massachusetts Amherst is in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1.

UMBC vs. UMass Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or UMass? 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 UMass ($18,770 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 9.4% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($15,146 vs. $16,710).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $4,516 more per year; $17,772.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at UMass than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $9,174 more per year; $40,449.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (88% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students is 28.5% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($13,110 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. UMass Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 80 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming UMass students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; UMass - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMass students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at UMBC (3.97).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 17.9% at UMass.

UMBC vs. UMass Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and UMass? 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).

• University of Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than UMass graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $55,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $2,803 lower median loan debt than UMass graduates ($21,197 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMass graduates ($219 vs. $248).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.