University of Maryland-Baltimore County combines moderately selective admission with exceptional test score profiles and strong post-graduation outcomes. As an Opportunity Builder institution, UMBC serves 29.6% Pell-eligible students while delivering earnings well above peer institutions, creating pathways for economic advancement across diverse student populations.
With well above average results, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment costs
With above average performance, reflecting controlled net prices and moderate debt levels
Well above average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
With well above average outcomes, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Strong STEM outcomes with accessible admission
University of Maryland-Baltimore County ranks #195 nationally, placing in the 88th percentile with well above average performance across multiple outcomes. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large public research university combines moderately selective admission (74.2% acceptance rate) with exceptional academic credentials, as admitted students score among the highest we track on standardized tests.
UMBC enrolls 29.6% Pell-eligible students and 27.4% first-generation students, demonstrating strong access for diverse populations. The institution operates as an Opportunity Builder, serving students from varied backgrounds while delivering solid economic outcomes.
Graduates earn a median of $69,960 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 86th percentile nationally and $9,417 above the peer median of $60,543. With median debt of $19,500, graduates achieve a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, supporting long-term financial stability.
UMBC delivers strong earnings outcomes while maintaining controlled borrowing levels. Graduates earn a median of $69,960 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 86th percentile nationally and representing 26.9% growth from six-year earnings of $55,137.
Earnings span from $45,352 at the 25th percentile to $100,927 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across academic programs. Low-income graduates earn $57,500, demonstrating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking strong STEM outcomes at a public research university with accessible admission. Well-suited for diverse learners, including first-generation college students and those prioritizing strong post-graduation earnings in Computer Science, Engineering, and Information Sciences at manageable debt levels.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Maryland-Baltimore County hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-maryland-baltimore-county/analysis.
Computer Engineering, General.
66 graduates
Computer Science.
249 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
56 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
248 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
120 graduates
UMBC offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Information Science/Studies ranks #7 nationally and #2 in Maryland, producing 248 graduates with median earnings of $82,936 and an excellent value score of 88.0.
Computer Science ranks #67 nationally but #2 in Maryland, graduating 249 students with median earnings of $95,052 and a value score of 63.9. Forensic Social Work stands out with a #12 national ranking and #2 state ranking, graduating 112 students who earn $52,571 with an exceptional value score of 94.3.
Biology leads enrollment with 342 graduates earning $53,673 and ranking #34 nationally, while Psychology graduates 320 students annually with earnings of $48,488. Algebra and Number Theory ranks #29 nationally with 94 graduates earning $74,668, demonstrating strong outcomes in mathematics fields.
Several programs hold flagship status at the institution, indicating UMBC's distinctive strengths in these areas.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County admits 74.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This moderately selective admission rate provides reasonable access for qualified students while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows UMBC is slightly more selective than typical four-year institutions in its comparison group, with a difference of 3.9 percentage points. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic credentials have good prospects for admission, though competitive programs may have higher standards.
The combination of accessible admission with exceptional test score profiles creates opportunities for students who demonstrate strong academic preparation. For prospective students, this suggests building a college list that includes UMBC as a realistic option while also considering more selective alternatives for reach schools and more accessible options for safety schools.
The moderately selective tier indicates that admitted students typically demonstrate above-average academic preparation, but the institution remains accessible to a broad range of qualified applicants rather than only the highest-achieving students.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oakland University Similar quality tier (#195 ranked) | MI | 70% | $58,612 | #195 | Compare |
University Of Memphis Similar quality tier in Southeast (#193 ranked) | TN | 93% | $48,458 | #193 | Compare |
Iowa State University Similar quality tier (#192 ranked) | IA | 89% | $63,386 | #192 | Compare |
Stockton University Similar quality tier (#197 ranked) | NJ | 88% | $57,602 | #197 | Compare |
University Of Iowa Similar quality tier (#200 ranked) | IA | 85% | $64,762 | #200 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County's published cost of attendance is $27,935 per year, including $12,952 in-state tuition, $14,204 for room and board, and $1,600 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition costs of $30,308 annually.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $18,328 representing $9,607 in financial aid savings. This net price falls $2,738 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating above-average affordability compared to similar institutions.
The substantial gap between sticker price and actual cost reflects UMBC's commitment to making education accessible through need-based financial aid. Financial aid effectively reduces the published cost by 34.4%, demonstrating significant institutional and federal support for enrolled students.
The cost structure positions UMBC as an accessible public research university option, particularly for Maryland residents who benefit from in-state tuition rates. Students and families should focus on net price rather than published costs when evaluating affordability, as the financial aid system substantially reduces actual expenses for most enrolled students.
The below-peer-median net price indicates that UMBC delivers strong value compared to similar public research universities.
UMBC graduates demonstrate consistent earnings progression over time, with median earnings rising from $55,137 at six years to $63,658 at eight years and $69,960 at ten years after enrollment. This 26.9% growth trajectory from the six-year to ten-year mark reflects steady career advancement across disciplines.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohort sizes of 2,497 graduates at six years, 2,673 at eight years, and 2,676 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $9,417 above the peer median of $60,543, positioning UMBC well above similar institutions for long-term earnings.
The earnings distribution ranges from $45,352 at the 25th percentile to $100,927 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.2:1 ratio that reflects meaningful variation across programs and career paths. Low-income graduates achieve median earnings of $57,500, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from diverse backgrounds.
Approximately 23.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
