University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) vs Grand Valley State
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) are two excellent options with distinct characteristics. UMBC, located in Baltimore, Maryland, boasts a higher acceptance rate (74%) compared to GVSU's 84%. Both universities offer a diverse range of popular majors, including business, engineering, and nursing. However, UMBC has a slightly larger student body, with over 13,000 undergraduates, while GVSU has a more balanced gender ratio. Additionally, UMBC has a higher graduation rate (68%) than GVSU (63%). Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Grand Valley State University |
![]() University of Maryland-Baltimore County |
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Overview |
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Location | Allendale, Michigan | Baltimore, Maryland |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | 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 | 83.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.7% | 81.2% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
|
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$50
|
SAT range | N/A | 1220 - 1410 |
ACT range | N/A | 25 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 24.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 17,163 | 11,093 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,730 | 9,007 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,807 | 2,052 |
Yield rate | 24.2% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,604
Out of state:
$29,340
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In state:
$32,716
Out of state:
$48,906
|
Average net price | $16,947 | $6,912 |
Tuition |
In state:
$13,560
Out of state:
$19,296
|
In state:
$8,878
Out of state:
$25,068
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,380
Meal plan:
$3,500
|
Room/dormitory:
$7,310
Meal plan:
$4,940
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
80.0%
Average amount $8,376 |
74.0%
Average amount $8,758 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $5,161 |
24.0%
Average amount $4,732 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $13,024 |
2.0%
Average amount $14,975 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
19,379
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
10,835
Men 54.4% Women 45.6% |
Graduate students |
3,027
Men 28.0% Women 72.0% |
2,803
Men 51.6% Women 48.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 10.6% | 5.0% |
International students | 1.8% | 10.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 6,012 | 3,644 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Michigan Illinois Indiana Ohio Texas | Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.1% | 71.0% |
Dropout rate | 15.6% | 14.0% |
Transferred out | 15.4% | 12.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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