University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) vs Iowa State

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed universities: University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Iowa State University (ISU). 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. ISU, situated in the heartland of Iowa, stands out with its lower student-to-faculty ratio, fostering closer interactions between educators and learners. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details, such as popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to discern which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.

	Iowa State University	University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Overview
Location	Ames, Iowa	Baltimore, Maryland
Campus setting	City: Small	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	88.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	91.1%	81.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1083 - 1330	1220 - 1410
ACT range	21 - 28	25 - 30
Students submitting SAT score	13.0%	24.0%
Students submitting ACT score	63.0%	5.0%
Total number of applicants	20,357	11,093
Total number of admissions given out	18,550	9,007
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,387	2,052
Yield rate	29.0%	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: $22,152 Out of state: $37,964	In state: $32,716 Out of state: $48,906
Average net price	$15,422	$6,912
Tuition	In state: $8,324 Out of state: $24,136	In state: $8,878 Out of state: $25,068
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,590 Meal plan: $4,498	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)	87.0% Average amount $8,833	74.0% Average amount $8,758
Students receiving federal student loan	47.0% Average amount $5,202	24.0% Average amount $4,732
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $11,630	2.0% Average amount $14,975

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	25,808 Men 56.1% Women 43.9%	10,835 Men 54.4% Women 45.6%
Graduate students	4,900 Men 50.6% Women 49.4%	2,803 Men 51.6% Women 48.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	5.0%
International students	8.2%	10.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	9,400	3,644
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Maryland New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Virginia

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Agriculture Education Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Computer and Information Science Multidisciplinary Studies Engineering Education Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	76.0%	71.0%
Dropout rate	6.1%	14.0%
Transferred out	16.7%	12.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,739 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $101,292 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,956 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $95,081 Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,120 Year 2: $89,059 Year 3: $92,521 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,573 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,299 Year 2: $73,321 Year 3: $83,452 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,598 Year 2: $73,839 Year 3: $83,292 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,184 Year 2: $71,734 Year 3: $81,196 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,223 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $79,916 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,580 Year 2: $70,083 Year 3: $77,479 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,534 Year 2: $67,156 Year 3: $76,113	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 Iowa State University?

UMBC is a mid-sized public research university known for its strong focus on STEM fields, particularly computer science and cybersecurity, and its commitment to undergraduate research. It's located in a suburban setting near Baltimore, Maryland. Iowa State University, on the other hand, is a large land-grant university with a broader range of academic programs, including agriculture, engineering, and design. It's situated in Ames, Iowa, a more traditional college town.
Which university is better for computer science?

Both UMBC and Iowa State have reputable computer science programs. However, UMBC is often recognized for its specific strengths in cybersecurity and its close ties to government agencies and defense contractors in the Baltimore-Washington area. Iowa State offers a broader range of computer science specializations and benefits from its strong engineering college.
How do the campus environments compare?

UMBC has a more compact, suburban campus with a strong sense of community. It's located close to Baltimore, offering access to urban amenities. Iowa State has a larger, more traditional college campus in Ames, Iowa, providing a classic college town experience. Ames is generally considered a quieter and more affordable environment than the Baltimore area.
What is the cost of attendance at UMBC versus Iowa State?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, Iowa State is more affordable for in-state students, while UMBC may be more competitive for out-of-state students seeking merit-based scholarships. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, and factor in living expenses specific to each location.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both UMBC and Iowa State are research universities, but Iowa State has a larger overall research enterprise due to its size and land-grant mission. UMBC, while smaller, is highly focused on research, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, data science, and biotechnology. Both offer numerous research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
How do the student populations differ?

UMBC has a more diverse student body, with a significant percentage of students from underrepresented groups. Iowa State's student population is predominantly from the Midwest, although it is becoming increasingly diverse. UMBC tends to attract students interested in STEM careers in the Mid-Atlantic region, while Iowa State draws students from across the country and internationally, particularly those interested in agriculture, engineering, and design.
What are the popular majors at each university?

At UMBC, popular majors include computer science, information systems, engineering (particularly computer and mechanical), and biological sciences. At Iowa State, popular majors include engineering (all disciplines), agriculture, business, and design.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Iowa State competes in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference and has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in football, basketball, and wrestling. UMBC competes in the NCAA Division I America East Conference. While UMBC's athletic programs are smaller, they gained national attention for their men's basketball team's historic upset victory over Virginia in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
What are the career prospects after graduation from each university?

Graduates from both UMBC and Iowa State have strong career prospects. UMBC graduates often find employment in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, particularly in government agencies, defense contractors, and technology companies. Iowa State graduates find opportunities across the Midwest and nationally, particularly in agriculture, engineering, manufacturing, and technology sectors. The specific career paths will depend on the student's major and chosen field.
Which university is better for international students?

Both UMBC and Iowa State welcome international students and offer support services to help them adjust to life in the United States. Iowa State, being a larger university, may have a more established international student community and a wider range of resources. UMBC, with its diverse student body, also provides a welcoming environment for international students and offers specialized programs to support their academic and personal success.

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