University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) vs Georgia Southern University

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed universities: University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Georgia Southern University (GSU). While both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your academic journey. UMBC, nestled in the vibrant city of Baltimore, boasts a higher acceptance rate, allowing more students to embark on their educational pursuits. GSU, rooted in the heart of Statesboro, Georgia, offers a more diverse student body, fostering a rich tapestry of cultures and perspectives. As you delve into the comparison table, you'll uncover further distinctions, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that will guide you toward the university that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.

	Georgia Southern University	University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Overview
Location	Statesboro, Georgia	Baltimore, Maryland
Campus setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	4-1-4
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	72.0%	87.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	90.5%	81.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $50
SAT range	990 - 1200	1220 - 1410
ACT range	18 - 24	25 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	23.0%	24.0%
Students submitting ACT score	16.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	18,541	11,093
Total number of admissions given out	16,782	9,007
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,571	2,052
Yield rate	33.2%	22.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,011 Out of state: $34,065	In state: $32,716 Out of state: $48,906
Average net price	$15,830	$6,912
Tuition	In state: $4,371 Out of state: $15,425	In state: $8,878 Out of state: $25,068
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,262 Meal plan: $3,750	Room/dormitory: $7,310 Meal plan: $4,940
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	89.0% Average amount $7,748	74.0% Average amount $8,758
Students receiving federal student loan	49.0% Average amount $5,121	24.0% Average amount $4,732
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $8,122	2.0% Average amount $14,975

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	23,527 Men 42.1% Women 57.9%	10,835 Men 54.4% Women 45.6%
Graduate students	3,549 Men 28.3% Women 71.7%	2,803 Men 51.6% Women 48.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	6.5%	5.0%
International students	1.5%	10.5%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,722	3,644
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Georgia Florida South Carolina North Carolina Tennessee	Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Health Professions Engineering Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Computer and Information Science	Computer and Information Science Multidisciplinary Studies Engineering Education Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	53.6%	71.0%
Dropout rate	14.3%	14.0%
Transferred out	29.2%	12.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,951 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $96,937 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $82,820 Year 2: $86,867 Year 3: $89,855 Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,715 Year 2: $64,608 Year 3: $76,683 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,107 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $75,334 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,688 Year 2: $60,399 Year 3: $73,752 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,291 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $73,741 Curriculum and Instruction (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $71,792 Year 2: $72,134 Year 3: $70,800 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,135 Year 2: $63,203 Year 3: $69,489 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,923 Year 2: $65,506 Year 3: $68,258 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,090 Year 2: $63,749 Year 3: $66,074	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $95,196 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,374 Year 2: $75,383 Year 3: $88,572 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,765 Year 2: $72,134 Year 3: $86,874 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,661 Year 2: $73,112 Year 3: $85,246 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,747 Year 2: $70,009 Year 3: $82,906 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,329 Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $75,222 Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,810 Year 2: $62,111 Year 3: $72,223 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,037 Year 2: $60,240 Year 3: $71,621 Curriculum and Instruction (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $63,109 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $62,490 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,390 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $59,425

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UMBC and Georgia Southern University?

UMBC is a mid-sized public research university known for its strong focus on STEM fields, particularly computer science and cybersecurity. It's located in a suburban setting near Baltimore, Maryland. Georgia Southern University is a larger public university with a broader range of programs, including strong offerings in business, education, and health professions. It's located in Statesboro, Georgia, a smaller college town.
Which university is better for students interested in STEM fields?

UMBC generally has a stronger reputation for STEM, especially in computer science, cybersecurity, and related fields. They have robust research opportunities and strong industry connections in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. While Georgia Southern offers STEM programs, UMBC's are typically considered more highly ranked and research-intensive.
How do the campus environments compare?

UMBC has a more compact, suburban campus with a focus on academics and research. It's close to Baltimore and Washington D.C., offering access to internships and cultural attractions. Georgia Southern has a larger, more traditional college campus with a greater emphasis on student life and a more prominent Greek life presence. Statesboro offers a classic college town experience.
What are the differences in tuition and cost of attendance?

Tuition and cost of attendance vary depending on residency status. Generally, UMBC may be more expensive for out-of-state students compared to Georgia Southern. However, in-state tuition at UMBC might be comparable or even lower than out-of-state tuition at Georgia Southern. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date and personalized cost estimates based on your specific circumstances.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

UMBC is classified as a Research 1 (R1) doctoral university, indicating a very high level of research activity. Georgia Southern is classified as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity (R2). While both institutions conduct research, UMBC places a greater emphasis on research across various disciplines, particularly in STEM.
How do the student populations differ?

Georgia Southern has a larger undergraduate student population than UMBC. UMBC tends to attract a more academically focused student body, with a higher percentage of students pursuing graduate studies. Georgia Southern has a more diverse student body in terms of academic interests and backgrounds, with a stronger emphasis on undergraduate student life.
What are the strengths of Georgia Southern University?

Georgia Southern excels in programs like business, education, health professions, and engineering technology. It offers a more traditional college experience with a vibrant campus life, strong athletic programs, and a supportive community. It's also known for its affordability, especially for in-state students.
What are the strengths of UMBC?

UMBC is renowned for its strong STEM programs, particularly in computer science, cybersecurity, and engineering. It offers excellent research opportunities, a diverse and inclusive environment, and close proximity to major metropolitan areas for internships and career opportunities. It's also known for its commitment to student success and its focus on innovation.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Georgia Southern University competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Sun Belt Conference. Their football program is particularly well-known. UMBC also competes in NCAA Division I, but their athletic program is generally less prominent than Georgia Southern's. UMBC is a member of the America East Conference. UMBC's basketball team gained national attention for their historic upset victory over Virginia in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Which university is better for students seeking internships and job opportunities?

Both universities offer career services and resources to help students find internships and jobs. UMBC's location near Baltimore and Washington D.C. provides access to a wide range of government agencies, tech companies, and research institutions. Georgia Southern's location in the Southeast provides access to opportunities in industries like logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. The best choice depends on your field of study and career goals.
How do the admission requirements compare?

Admission requirements vary depending on the program and the applicant's academic record. Generally, UMBC may have slightly more competitive admission standards, particularly for its STEM programs. Both universities consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (if required), essays, and extracurricular activities. Check each university's admissions website for specific requirements and deadlines.
What is the overall academic reputation of each university?

UMBC generally has a stronger academic reputation, particularly in STEM fields, due to its research focus and selective admissions. Georgia Southern is a well-respected regional university with a solid academic reputation, especially in its areas of strength like business and education. The 'better' reputation depends on the specific program you're interested in.

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