UMBC vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Tech is larger than UMBC based on total student enrollment (38,857 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); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Maryland Baltimore County is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maryland Baltimore County 17:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UMBC vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMBC or Virginia Tech? 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 Virginia Tech ($18,770 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Baltimore County are 8.5% lower than at Virginia Tech ($15,146 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMBC (about $2,692 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $13,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of Maryland Baltimore County (about $6,489 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $31,275.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Baltimore County than at Virginia Tech (88% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Baltimore County students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($10,203 vs. $9,168).

UMBC vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 40 points higher than at UMBC (1330).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at UMBC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 1240/1420; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maryland Baltimore County 25/31; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMBC - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMBC Feb 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UMBC students have the same average high school GPA (3.97) as students at Virginia Tech (3.97).
• UMBC has a higher acceptance rate (72.4%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at UMBC vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UMBC vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMBC and Virginia Tech? 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of Maryland Baltimore County's (57%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than UMBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Maryland Baltimore County graduates have a $2,769 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($21,197 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UMBC graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($219 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMBC students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.