UMBC vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore, MD with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (32,438 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

UMBC vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than UMBC ($10,154 vs. $18,770).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 8.9% lower than at University of Maryland Baltimore County ($13,804 vs. $15,146).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is 47.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $4,262 more per year; $13,256.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $9,928 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (88% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 74.6% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($17,814 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 UNC Chapel Hill and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 130 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

UMBC vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,718 lower median loan debt than UMBC graduates ($16,479 vs. $21,197).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMBC graduates ($170 vs. $219).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.