University of Baltimore (UBalt) vs University of Maryland-College Park (UMD)

When it comes to higher education in Maryland, two prominent universities that often draw comparisons are the University of Baltimore (UB) and the University of Maryland-College Park (UMD). While both institutions offer a wide range of academic programs and opportunities, they differ in several key aspects. UB, a public research university located in the heart of Baltimore City, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on professional programs, with popular majors including business, criminal justice, and nursing. UMD, on the other hand, is a large, public research university situated in the vibrant College Park area. Known for its strong academic reputation and extensive research facilities, UMD attracts students from across the globe and offers a diverse range of majors, including engineering, computer science, and life sciences. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting the key differences between UB and UMD, including acceptance rates, graduation rates, student body demographics, and popular majors

	University of Baltimore	University of Maryland-College Park
Overview
Location	Baltimore, Maryland	College Park, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	68.0%	95.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	89.4%	52.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $35 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	955 - 1135	1330 - 1510
ACT range	18 - 20	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	34.0%
Students submitting ACT score	6.0%	9.0%
Total number of applicants	265	50,183
Total number of admissions given out	237	26,109
Admitted students who chose to enroll	66	6,072
Yield rate	27.8%	23.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $34,464 Out of state: $47,650	In state: $30,997 Out of state: $58,678
Average net price	$17,117	$17,146
Tuition	In state: $7,154 Out of state: $20,340	In state: $9,000 Out of state: $36,681
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $8,072 Meal plan: $5,578
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	84.0% Average amount $8,174	56.0% Average amount $10,645
Students receiving federal student loan	29.0% Average amount $5,112	20.0% Average amount $5,065
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	4.0% Average amount $22,924

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,605 Men 39.5% Women 60.5%	30,922 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students	2,105 Men 36.3% Women 63.7%	10,350 Men 50.7% Women 49.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	7.7%	29.5%
International students	3.0%	10.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	11,846
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Maryland Texas Florida Virginia Washington	Maryland New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Legal Profession Law Enforcement and Firefighting Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies	Engineering Business Education Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	38.0%	87.7%
Dropout rate	22.6%	4.0%
Transferred out	35.0%	7.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,108 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $79,607 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $53,390 Year 2: $53,984 Year 3: $73,073 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,058 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $63,840 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,061 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $57,436 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,544 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $51,917 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,376 Year 2: $31,839 Year 3: $51,396 Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $43,325 Year 2: $39,909 Year 3: $48,118 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,642 Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $46,695 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,230 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,666 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,765 Year 2: $106,102 Year 3: $116,295 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $125,155 Year 2: $112,923 Year 3: $112,074 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,533 Year 2: $94,112 Year 3: $102,555 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,018 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $101,716 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,727 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $99,501 Physics (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $72,899 Year 3: $92,830 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,418 Year 2: $80,466 Year 3: $92,230 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,675 Year 2: $72,762 Year 3: $83,667 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,798 Year 2: $71,761 Year 3: $82,867 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,391 Year 2: $66,485 Year 3: $82,784

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Baltimore (UB) and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD)?

The University of Baltimore (UB) and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) serve different student populations and have distinct focuses. UB is primarily a professional and applied learning university catering to working adults and graduate students, offering programs in law, business, and public affairs. UMD, on the other hand, is a large, comprehensive research university with a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including STEM, humanities, and the arts. UMD is known for its research output and vibrant campus life, while UB emphasizes career-focused education and flexibility for working professionals.
Which university is better known for its undergraduate programs?

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is significantly more recognized for its undergraduate programs due to its larger undergraduate population, wider array of undergraduate majors, and emphasis on the traditional four-year college experience. While UB offers some undergraduate programs, its primary focus is on graduate and professional studies.
How do the graduate programs at UB and UMD compare?

Both UB and UMD offer a variety of graduate programs, but they cater to different needs. UB's graduate programs are often geared towards working professionals seeking career advancement in fields like law, business, and public administration. UMD's graduate programs are more research-oriented and cover a broader spectrum of disciplines, attracting students pursuing academic careers or advanced research positions. The 'better' program depends on your specific field and career goals.
Which university is more affordable?

Generally, the University of Baltimore (UB) tends to be more affordable than the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), especially for in-state students. UB's tuition and fees are typically lower, reflecting its focus on accessibility for working adults. However, it's crucial to check the most current tuition rates and financial aid options for both universities based on your residency status and program of interest.
What is the campus environment like at UB versus UMD?

The campus environments at UB and UMD are quite different. UB has a more urban, commuter-focused campus in downtown Baltimore. It caters to working professionals and offers a more mature and career-oriented atmosphere. UMD, located in College Park, has a traditional, large university campus with a vibrant student life, including numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic events. UMD offers a more immersive and residential college experience.
Which university has better research opportunities?

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) offers significantly more research opportunities than the University of Baltimore (UB). UMD is a leading research institution with extensive funding, state-of-the-art facilities, and numerous research centers and institutes. While UB may offer some research opportunities within its professional programs, UMD's research infrastructure and scope are far greater.
How do the career services at UB and UMD compare?

Both UB and UMD offer career services to their students, but their approaches differ. UB's career services are tailored to its professional student body, focusing on career advancement, networking, and job placement in fields like law, business, and public service. UMD's career services are broader, catering to a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate students across various disciplines. UMD's career services include on-campus recruiting, career fairs, and internship programs with a wider array of employers.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is generally more selective in its admissions process than the University of Baltimore (UB). UMD receives a large number of applications and has higher admission standards, particularly for its undergraduate programs. UB's admissions process is often more flexible, especially for graduate programs, reflecting its focus on serving working professionals with diverse backgrounds.
What are the strengths of UB's law school compared to other law schools in Maryland?

UB's School of Law is known for its practical, hands-on approach to legal education, with a strong emphasis on clinical programs and real-world experience. It also offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate working professionals. While UMD also has a strong law school, UB's focus on practical skills and accessibility can be particularly appealing to students seeking immediate career readiness.
If I'm interested in a specific STEM field, which university is a better choice?

If you're interested in a STEM field, the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is generally a better choice. UMD has a strong reputation in STEM fields, with numerous highly ranked programs in engineering, computer science, and the natural sciences. UMD also has extensive research facilities and opportunities in STEM, making it a more attractive option for students pursuing careers in these fields. While UB may offer some STEM-related programs, UMD's breadth and depth in STEM are significantly greater.

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