UMBC Acceptance Rate, Admissions, SAT/ACT, GPA, Tuition, Rankings and other important admission information have been discussed in this article.
This is the admissions guide for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. We encourage you to read on, not only do we provide the average GPA and test scores you should follow when applying to UMBC, but we also discuss the steps you need to take during your application.
Also, more have been discussed on UMBC transfer acceptance rate and application requirements. What UMBC expects from all transfer applicants and international applicants.
The required admission materials to present during admission if you are an international and more on tuition and current ranking of UMBC.
About the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is a public research university located in Baltimore County, Maryland.
UMBC was founded in 1966 as part of the University System of Maryland, the university became Maryland’s first public college or all-race university.
As of the Fall of 2022, UMBC has a total enrolment of 13,600 undergraduate and graduate students. The enrolment at UMBC is the fourth largest of the University of Marland.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County offers sixty-one undergraduate majors and more than ninety-two graduate degree programs (38 masters, 25 doctoral, and 29 graduate certificate programs).
It is classified as “R1: Doctoral university, which means that this is a university that has a very high research activity”.
On the athletic front, the UMBC Retrievers have 17 NCAA Division I teams in the America East Conference.
UMBC Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at UMBC is estimated at 81%, which is above the national average for colleges in the United States. UMBC is not an extremely competitive school, and if you meet the requirements, you have a good chance of getting in.
The school has very high SAT and ACT admission requirements and generally accepts students in the top 30% of test-takers in the United States (SAT 1150/1350 and ACT 24/30). The University of Maryland, Baltimore County generally accepts and attracts ’’A’’ high school graduates with a GPA of approximately 3.9.
Most high school students who apply and get admitted to UMDC are at the top of their high school class. 21% of students who end up getting accepted end up attending and graduating from UMDC.
How Does UMBC Acceptance Rate Compare with Other Schools Close to It?
UMBC’s acceptance rate is 8% higher than the national average of about 56.7%. Below are some of the acceptance rates of some of the schools around UMBC
| School | Acceptance Rate |
| Loyola University Maryland | 80.2% |
| Morgan State University | 67.8% |
| Bowie State University | 79.7% |
| Catholic University of America | 85.4% |
| Howard University |
Admission to the University of Maryland Baltimore County
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County accepts more than half of its applicants, and its application process is somewhat competitive. Most students who end up getting in have above-average grades and test scores.
However, UMBC has a comprehensive admissions process that considers factors other than your grades and test scores.
A strong essay and strong letters of recommendation can improve your application, and when you have participated in extracurricular activities that resonate with the school and you had rigorous course work in your school your chances of being accepted are greatly improved by these.
Average SAT Score Requirements
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County generally prioritises applicants who are among the top 32% of SAT takers. The school continuously lowers the cumulative SAT score to 1150 out of 1600 in a bid to make admission very possible.
The average combined SAT score for admitted freshmen is estimated to be 1250/1600. UMBC ranks 4th in Maryland for average combined SAT score and 166th nationally. Competitive SAT scores are critical because 91% of applicants submit SAT scores to UMBC.
Average SAT Score Table
| SAT Reading 25th | 580 |
| SAT Math 25th | 570 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1150 |
| SAT Reading 75th | 670 |
| SAT Math 75th | 680 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1350 |
| Average SAT Score | 1250 |
Average ACT Score Requirement
Admissions records show that UMBC regularly admits students with an ACT of 24 or higher. Successful applicants of UMDC submit their ACT scores and they are mostly in the top 27 percent of ACT takers in the US.
Prospective students with an ACT score of 27 or higher should be at the top of the list of applicants, and students who manage to score 30 or more have a better opportunity.
UMBC is ranked 4th in Maryland and 179th in the United States and has the highest average total ACT score. 20% of applicants submit ACT scores to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Average ACT Table
| ACT Reading 25th | 22 |
| ACT Math 25th | 23 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 24 |
| ACT Reading 75th | 31 |
| ACT Math 75th | 29 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 30 |
| Average ACT Score | 27 |
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Average GPA requirements
Applicants need exceptionally good grades to get into UMBC. The average GPA for admission to the University of Maryland Baltimore County is 3.9/4.0, indicating that most, ‘’A’’ students are accepted during admissions.
The school has the highest GPA and ranks third in Maryland. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, you have a good chance of being accepted, as the acceptance of UMBC is 81%.
How to increase your chances of getting in
- SAT score of at least 1220 or ACT of at least 78.
- Maintain a GPA of at least 3.9.
- Participate in the school band, sports team or other group activities. For example, if the University of Maryland Baltimore takes music very seriously, consider joining a related organization.
- Do volunteer work at home: There are many ways to get involved in Baltimore outside of the university. The University of Maryland Baltimore also wants applicants to be good ambassadors for the school – they want students to benefit the community and Baltimore as a whole.
- Spend the summer doing things related to your values, personal growth, leadership, and other hard-to-measure qualities. UMBC needs to track your test scores and grades – they need to know that you want to be a valuable and helpful member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores – your experience should show that.
Popular Areas of Studies at UMBC
- Area of Study
- Arts
- Business Management
- Education
- Engineering
- Historical & Cultural Studies
- Human Services
- Humanities
- Language & Communications
- Policy/Government
- Pre-professional
- Science & Math
- Social Sciences
- Technology & Computing
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University of Maryland Baltimore County Rankings
According to U.S. News & World Report, UMBC is currently ranked #64 in Top Public Schools and #137 in National Universities, and #107 in Best Value Schools.
Times Higher Education ranks UMBC #601-800 on World University Rankings #201-300 in Impact Rankings.
How to get into UMBC as a freshman
We have discussed the steps to apply to UMBC and we have also included the official application link that will take you to the page where you can start your application as soon as possible.
Complete the general application
Your required action is to complete the Common Application. Be sure to fill it out completely.
- Are you looking for a residence permit in the state? Remember to answer residency questions in the Members section.
- Are you applying to the Honors College? Be sure to answer “Yes” to the Honors College question located in the Academic section of the Membership screen and complete the required additional written application.
- Complete the required application questions for your myUMBC account.
- Remember to plan and write your essay. This helps UMBC to get to know you.
- Pay the $75 non-refundable fee, make sure the green checked boxes under the application in the My Colleges panel of the UMBC section, and click Submit!
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Official Transcript
Request official transcripts from your high school. Advisors can send UMBC a transcript electronically through the Common App School Report or they can send a transcript to the office of admission vis mail.
International Transcripts
If you attend an institution of higher education, such as a college or university outside the United States, you must submit a report for each graded course through the respective grading services.
Letters of Recommendation
You can nominate up to two people you can recommend via the Common App – the recommended recommenders will be emailed via the Common App.
Your letter of recommendation will be processed in order of arrival.
For more information and application follow this link.
UMBC Transfer Acceptance Rate and Application Requirements
According to statistics, about 39.% of students at UMBC are transfer students coming from different academic institutions.
The school accepts 1,828 students. Therefore, the transfer acceptance rate at UMBC is 81.53%.
The school evaluates your transfer application based on your academic performance at previous educational institutions. Cumulative GPA calculated by UMBC, academic trends, course intensity and performance in courses related to the intended area of study are taken into consideration.
Transfer Requirements
- Transfer applicants must have a college GPA of at least 2.50.
- Official transcripts are required from each college or university you have previously attended. If you have less than 30 credits, you need an official high school transcript.
- If you have completed less than 30 credits in the last 3 years, please ask the relevant testing institution to send your SAT I or ACT scores to UMBC. The UMBC College Board code is 5835 for the SAT; The ACT UMBC code is 1751.
- No letters of recommendation are required.
- An essay is required.
- Registration fee:
- There is a $75 non-refundable application fee.
For more information and application, please follow this link.
UMBC Acceptance Rate for International Students and Admissions
UMBC’s acceptance rate for international students is not different from the general acceptance rate- the application process is also holistic and a lot of other things are considered during admission.
The school weigh many factors when making admissions decisions for international students. In addition to GPA and standardized test scores, your course intensity, class placement and other performance, and essay are taken into account.
The admission board expect applicants to complete a strong college preparatory program at an accredited high school.
Official Transcript
Request official transcripts from your high school. Advisors can send a transcript electronically through the Common App School Report or they can send a transcript to the admission office of UMBC.
International Transcripts
If you attend an institution of higher education, such as a college or university outside the United States, you must submit a report for each graded course through the official grading services.
Submit Evidence of Official English Proficiency
International students must demonstrate English language proficiency if they do not meet qualified exceptions. Test results must be electronically sent to the UMBC admissions office.
Successful international applicants will be the ones who have a strong college preparatory program that includes:
- English: 4 Years
- Social Science/History: 3 Years
- Language Other than English: 2 Years
- Science: 3 Years
- Mathematics: 4 Years
For more information and application visit here.
UMBC Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Attendance fees include fees billed directly to students, such as tuition, mandatory fees, campus housing, and meal plans. They are called direct costs.
Attendance fees also include fees that are not billed directly to students, but which students should consider when planning the cost of attending UMBC. These are called general expenses and may include books and supplies, transportation to and from campus, loan fees, and other personal expenses.
Actual costs for individual students may vary based on student course load, housing options, and meal plans.
Living On Campus
| 2023-2024 | In-State Per year | Out-of-State Per year |
| Tuition/Fees | $12,948 | $30,304 |
| Housing & Meals | $14,204 | $14,204 |
| Books | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| Transportation | $1,586 | $1,586 |
| Other | $1,828 | $1,828 |
| Direct Loan Fee | $70 | $70 |
| PLUS Loan Fee | $730 | $730 |
| Total: | $32,966 | $50,322 |
Living Off-Campus
| 2023-2024 | In-State Per year | Out-of-State Per year |
| Tuition/Fees | $12,948 | $30,304 |
| Housing & Meals | $15,906 | $15,906 |
| Books | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| Transportation | $2,904 | $2,904 |
| Other | $1,828 | $1,828 |
| Direct Loan Fee | $70 | $70 |
| PLUS Loan Fee | $730 | $730 |
| Total: | $35,986 | $53,342 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQs below are some of the questions people ask about admission to the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Does the University of Maryland Baltimore County prefer SAT or ACT?
91% of students submit SAT scores to UMBC. 20% of applicants submitted their ACT scores with their application.
Is UMBC selective in admissions?
UMBC has an acceptance rate of 69% which means that more than half of the applicants are accepted.
With moderate acceptance rates, UMBC is selective. Admission is also highly competitive as only students who excel academically and professionally are admitted. Favouritism is not granted if the documents are incomplete. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, as UMBC receives a large number of applications each year.
What SAT scores are required to get into the University of Maryland Baltimore County?
The accepted applicants had SAT scores between 1150 and 1350. 91% of students submitted SAT scores with their application.
What is the required ACT score to get into the University of Maryland in Baltimore County?
The accepted applicants had ACT scores between 24 and 30. 20% of students submit ACT scores with their application.
Is the application fee refundable?
Application fees for first-year applicants are non-refundable. With the exception of a few master’s and professional programs, postgraduate students are also not compensated. Applicants are encouraged to visit the graduate program website to see if there is a waiver option.
What are the SAT/ACT and TOEFL UMBC codes?
The ACT code is 1751. SAT scores are sent to colleges by the College Board via the code 5835. The TOEFL university code is also 5835.
Can I get into graduate school with a GPA below 3.0?
Applicants may still apply without a 3.0+ GPA if they score well on an aptitude test or provide relevant letters of recommendation from a qualified professional evaluator.
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References:
- U.S. News & World Report: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Times Higher Education: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- UMBC.edu: Academics at UMBC