UMBC vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maryland Baltimore County is larger than U of R based on total student enrollment (13,906 students vs. 11,946 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UMBC vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or U of R? 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 U of R ($18,770 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 23.5% lower than at University of Rochester ($15,146 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 406% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $53,824 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.5% higher at U of R than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $35,805 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at University of Rochester (88% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 345.9% larger than aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students ($45,500 vs. $10,203).

UMBC vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMBC or U of R? 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 U of R and UMBC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 150 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming U of R students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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 Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at U of R (3.75).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 15.4% at U of R.

UMBC vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and U of R? 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 Rochester's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Rochester earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($71,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $3,303 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($21,197 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($219 vs. $253).
• More U of R graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.