Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Baltimore, Maryland
74.2% Acceptance Rate
University of Maryland-Baltimore County — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
74.2%Acceptance Rate
3.97Avg GPA
1299Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$27,935Annual Cost
$69,960Grad Salary
29.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
74.2%
Avg GPA
3.97
Avg SAT
1299
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1220–1410
ACT Middle 50%
23–30
Avg Net Price
$18,328
Need-Based Aid
29.6% receive Pell
University of Maryland-Baltimore County is a public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and inclusive excellence. With a strong reputation in science, technology, engineering, and the arts, the university fosters a dynamic campus environment that encourages high-impact research and professional leadership. Its focus on interdisciplinary study and student success makes it a premier choice for students seeking a transformative and rigorous research-intensive education.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County Acceptance Rate
University of Maryland-Baltimore County is moderately selective. 74.2% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What UMBC Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 74.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.97 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.77 – 3.96
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.52
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Maryland-Baltimore County Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark February 1 for University of Maryland-Baltimore County (Regular Decision — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by April 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 175 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UMBC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UMBC is 3.97. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.67 and 3.97, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.17–4.37.UMBC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: This tier demands elite, top-of-class academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: Pair the GPA with heavy Course Rigor, including AP, IB, or Honors, to back it up.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.97 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.77 – 3.96
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.57 – 3.76
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.56
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- UMBC is test-optional beginning Fall 2026 admission, for both general admission and merit scholarship consideration including Meyerhoff.
- The Meyerhoff Scholars Program is a nationally recognized STEM diversity initiative offering $5,000-$22,000/year scholarships; it requires a separate application (final deadline January 15) after general UMBC admission, plus a required math placement test for Selection Weekend invitees.
- Honors College applicants must complete a separate Writing Supplement through the Common App, including a required choice between a 28th Amendment proposal prompt and a historical-event reflection prompt.
- Early Action deadline is November 1; Meyerhoff applicants are encouraged to apply by this date to access the Meyerhoff application portal in time.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UMBC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Maryland-Baltimore County's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UMBC. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UMBC Without SAT or ACT?
UMBC considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County Average SAT Score: 1299
Admitted students at University of Maryland-Baltimore County average a 1299 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1299 — Slightly Competitive
A 1299 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1410 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Maryland-Baltimore County allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1220? A retake is worth it at UMBC. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 660 | 610 | 710 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 610 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1299 | 1220 | 1410 |
A score under 1220 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1410+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) with a 1400 SAT?
At 1400, your SAT is squarely in UMBC's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) ACT Requirements
UMBC's admitted students average an ACT of 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
An average of 27 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 22 | 28 |
| ACT English | 28 | 23 | 32 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Can I get into University of Maryland-Baltimore County with a 30 ACT?
At 30, you're in the top quarter of UMBC's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, UMBC weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UMBC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UMBC takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
UMBC just went fully test-optional for Fall 2026 - don't let a student with strong grades but a weak test score hold back submitting their application out of outdated caution
Beginning with Fall 2026 admission, UMBC made undergraduate admissions test-optional, including for merit scholarship consideration like the Meyerhoff Scholars Program. Students applying with or without test scores receive full consideration either way - make sure a student isn't assuming test scores are still required based on older information.
If a student is a high-achieving STEM student interested in a PhD or MD/PhD track, point them to the Meyerhoff Scholars Program specifically and separately from general UMBC admission
Meyerhoff is a distinct application requiring students to first submit the general UMBC application (Early Action deadline November 1 is encouraged), then complete a separate Meyerhoff application with a final deadline of January 15, including a required math placement test before Selection Weekend for invited applicants. A student interested in this program needs both applications tracked on separate timelines, not just the general UMBC deadline.
Honors College applicants need a specific writing supplement most students won't know exists unless someone tells them
UMBC's Honors College requires a Writing Supplement submitted through the Common App, with a required first prompt offering a choice between proposing a 28th Constitutional Amendment or describing a historical event the student wishes they could witness, plus additional mandatory prompts. A student aiming for Honors needs to know this supplement exists and isn't part of the standard UMBC application - it has to be deliberately added.
Meyerhoff scholars must commit to a specific STEM major and a PhD or MD/PhD trajectory - make sure a student's intentions actually align before encouraging the application
Students who accept a Meyerhoff Merit Award must major in one of a specific list of STEM disciplines at UMBC, and the program is explicitly built around advancement toward doctoral study and increasing diversity in STEM fields. A student who's STEM-curious but uncertain about a PhD track, or who wants a non-STEM primary major, isn't a strong fit for Meyerhoff even if they'd be competitive - set this expectation early rather than after acceptance.
Expert Insight:
The most common mistake is treating Meyerhoff and the Honors College as the same opportunity or assuming either happens automatically with general UMBC admission - both require separate applications with separate deadlines and separate eligibility criteria (Meyerhoff requires STEM/PhD intent and a math placement test for finalists; Honors requires a distinct writing supplement), and a student who only completes the general UMBC application will miss both.
UMBC Profile
Full Name
University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC)
City
Baltimore
State
Maryland
ZIP Code
21250
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a UMBC Degree Worth It?
At $27,935/year against a $69,960 median graduate salary, UMBC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $83,000, and graduates see a 2.74% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UMBC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $27,935/year at UMBC. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $18,328.
At UMBC, 29.6% receive a Pell Grant and 29.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UMBC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UMBC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UMBC graduates report a median income of $69,960, about 72% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Maryland-Baltimore County. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Maryland-Baltimore County. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Maryland-Baltimore County. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at UMBC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UMBC Admissions
University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates earn a moderate median salary of $69,960/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Maryland-Baltimore County is relatively affordable, around $27,935/year.
29.6% of University of Maryland-Baltimore County students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County's acceptance rate is 74.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Maryland-Baltimore County students is 3.97, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.67 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.57 or below makes admission tougher at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1299, and within the 1220–1410 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County's deadline is February 1 (Regular Decision), with decisions out by April 1.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's University of Maryland-Baltimore County's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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