From the School

UMBC, a selective public research university, combines the traditions of the liberal arts academy, the creative intensity of the research university, and the social responsibility of a public institution. We are known for integrating research, innovative teaching and learning, and civic engagement so that each advances the others for the benefit of society.

Overall

From The School


UMBC is adopting a test-optional admissions program for Fall 2021 applicants in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact nationally on high school students' ability to access standardized admissions tests (SAT/ACT). The test-optional program provides students the opportunity to apply for undergraduate admission with or without standardized test scores. Students applying without standardized test scores will receive full consideration for admission, merit scholarships and other opportunities.

UMBC's holistic review of applicants for undergraduate admission considers a number of factors. These include grade point average, academic trend, strength of curriculum, standardized test scores (if provided), personal statement, letters of recommendation, and other achievements. Students wishing to be considered for undergraduate admission should submit an application and all required documents by November 1 for Early Action and February 1 for Regular Decision.

Transfer applicants are considered to be students who have completed a minimum of 24 college-level credits at an institution of higher education after receiving a high school diploma or a GED. The Admissions Committee evaluates transfer applicants on the basis of their academic record at previous institutions. Cumulative grade point average as calculated by UMBC, academic trends, strength of curriculum, and performance in courses related to the intended area of study are considered. Special consideration will be given to students who complete an associate degree at a Maryland two year institution.

Overview

Applicants
11,842
Acceptance Rate
61%
Average HS GPA
3.90

GPA Breakdown

66%
Over 3.75
16%
3.50 - 3.74
9%
3.25 - 3.49
6%
3.00 - 3.24
3%
2.50 - 2.99

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SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
590 - 670
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)
590 - 690
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
24 - 29

Testing Policies

Yes
Yes
ACT Writing Policy
ACT with or without Writing accepted
SAT Essay Policy
SAT with or without Writing accepted

Deadlines

Early Action — November 1

Regular — February 1

Other Admission Factors

Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)

Selectivity Rating

86/99

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Overall

From The School


Academic Programs


UMBC's academic calendar consists of fall and spring semesters, a four-week session in January, and two summer sessions from six to eight weeks. To receive a UMBC degree, students complete at least 120 credits. In addition to the requirements for the chosen major, the general education program (GEP), provides a solid basis for a lifetime of learning. GEP courses encompass humanities and fine arts, mathematics and natural sciences, social sciences, and languages and culture.

The Honors College at UMBC is a special option for students who want to be surrounded by others committed to intellectual inquiry, hard work, and interdisciplinary learning. Honors College students dive deep into their studies and interests both in and out of the classroom through events and opportunities for research, study abroad, and more. Students also choose from seminars with some of the University's top professors. Examples include: Physiology of Dinosaurs, Race, Poverty, and Gender in Baltimore, and Feast and Fast in Medieval Literature.

At UMBC, we've also built a unique set of programs dedicated to helping you make a big change in the world. In these programs, you'll earn scholarships to help finance your education, but you'll also find a supportive community that is focused on giving you a launchpad for your academic, career, and life goals. Some of UMBC's scholars programs include: The Center for Women in Technology (CWIT), The Cyber Scholars program, The Humanities Scholars program, The Linehan Artist Scholars program, The Meyerhoff Scholars program, The Sherman Scholars Program, and The Sondheim Scholars program.

Majors and Degrees Offered


UMBC offers a wide variety of programs including some that cross disciplines to create exciting new opportunities for research and learning, such as Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Game Development, and Cybersecurity.

Faculty and Class Information

Student/Faculty
17:1
Total Faculty
931
with Terminal Degree
620
500
Men
431
Women
248
Minority
32
International
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
20 - 29
73/99
66/99

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
44%
Graduate in 5 years
63%
Graduate in 6 years
68%

Majors

  • AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.

  • African Studies.
  • American/United States Studies/Civilization.
  • Asian Studies/Civilization.
  • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies.
  • Women's Studies.

  • BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
  • Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology.

  • BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Management Information Systems and Services.

  • COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Communication and Media Studies.

  • COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Computer Science.
  • Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.

  • EDUCATION.

  • Biology Teacher Education.
  • Chemistry Teacher Education.
  • Mathematics Teacher Education.
  • Music Teacher Education.
  • Physics Teacher Education.
  • Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education.
  • Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education.

  • ENGINEERING.

  • Chemical Engineering.
  • Computer Engineering.
  • Mechanical Engineering.

  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.

  • FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES/HUMAN SCIENCES.

  • Adult Development and Aging.

  • FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.

  • HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.

  • Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic).
  • Health and Medical Administrative Services.

  • HISTORY.

  • LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

  • Theatre/Theater.

  • MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.

  • Classical and Ancient Studies.
  • International/Global Studies.

  • NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.

  • Environmental Science.
  • Environmental Studies.

  • PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.

  • Philosophy.

  • PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Chemistry.
  • Physics.

  • PSYCHOLOGY.

  • PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONS.

  • Health Policy Analysis.
  • Public Policy Analysis, Other.
  • Social Work.

  • SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES/TECHNICIANS.

  • Science Technologies/Technicians, General.

  • SOCIAL SCIENCES.

  • Cultural Anthropology.
  • Economics, Other.
  • Economics.
  • Geography.
  • Political Science and Government.
  • Sociology.

  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

  • Acting.
  • Dance.
  • Design and Applied Arts.
  • Fine and Studio Arts.
  • Jazz/Jazz Studies.
  • Music Performance, General.
  • Music Technology.
  • Music Theory and Composition.

Students Say

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County has a “great…reputation” as a “quiet academic school” where “students take education seriously.” Undergraduates are enthusiastic about the “academic opportunities and scholarship programs available,” and say, “UMBC wants to see every student succeed—they provide you with the tools, people, and resources to make sure you get where you want to go in life.” The university is particularly known for its “strong” science and mathematics programs and a commitment to the performing arts. Some students grumble, “The school needs to serve those with different majors apart from the sciences,” but others are quick to point out that “UMBC is changing a bit to offer more to the fine arts students,” including a new technologically advanced fine arts building. Most agree the university has “extremely intelligent professors that have a knack for inspiring the students,” and say, “UMBC is a place where professors aren’t just talking heads.” Although some complain about dull lectures, a common consensus is that “this is a university where teaching comes first, followed by research, and it shows,” and that “most of the professors are so helpful, you can find most of them sitting in their office, and they don’t mind if you come and ask them questions.”

Degrees

Bachelor's
Certificate
Doctoral
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship

Notable Faculty

Prominent Alumni

Jerome Adams
U.S. Surgeon General
Dr. James Clements
President of Clemson University
Richard Chisolm
National Cinematography Emmy
Adrienne Jones
Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates
Stephanie Reel
CIO and Vice Provost for Information Technologies for The Johns Hopkins University
Reid Thompson
Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
National Institutes of Health, COVID-19 researcher

Academic Rating

74/99

Graduation Rates

Graduate in 4 years
44%
Graduate in 5 years
63%
Graduate in 6 years
68%

Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship

ROI & Outcomes

86/99

Students Say

Thanks to UMBC's amazing Career Center, undergrads here are able to enter the job market with confidence. Starting from freshman year, the office works to empower students and help them plot their career goals. Undergrads can take advantage of a plethora of recruiting and networking events held on campus each year. More specifically, students have the opportunity to meet with representatives from companies/organizations like the Central Intelligence Agency, The Hershey Company, Lockheed Martin and the Nielsen Company (among others). And they can help ensure those meetings go well by attending one of the Career Center's many interviewing workshops or resume (and cover letter) writing seminars.

Overview

From The School


Tuition, Room, Board and Fees


Tuition and fees for 2019 2020 are $12,028 for Maryland residents and $27,662 for out-of-state students. Room and board averages $12,350.

Financial Aid


Forbes, Kiplinger, and Business First all agree that UMBC is a great value, thanks to its unique offerings, vibrant student-life, and athletics as compared to cost.

A variety of need-based financial aid programs are available, awarded in three categories: grants, loans, and employment. The Office of Financial Aid will prepare a financial aid package for eligible students which may consist of one or more of these types of aid to assist in meeting a student's financial needs. Eligibility is calculated based on FAFSA results, so make sure to apply online between October 1 and February 14.

UMBC offers a range of Merit Awards to both in-state and out-of-state students. Prospective incoming freshmen who submit timely applications will be reviewed for awards based on high school program, individual grades, cumulative averages, and SAT or ACT scores (if submitted). UMBC awards merit scholarships automatically to eligible incoming freshmen: no separate application needed. Awards range from $1,000 to $12,000 per year.

Dates

Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Mar 25

Required Forms

FAFSA

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$11,119
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$10,079
Average Need-Based Loan
$4,193
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
49%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$26,315
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$9,747
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes

Expenses per Academic Year

Tuition (In-State)
$8,704
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$24,338
Required Fees
$3,324
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
$1,200
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
$4,646
Transportation for Commuters
$2,300
On-Campus Room and Board
$12,000
Comprehensive Fee

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology
Federal
Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based
 

Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Need-Based United Negro College Fund

Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
Federal Perkins Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No

Financial Aid Rating

77/99

Overall

From The School


A big part of what makes UMBC different is that we're truly a community of learners. Whoever you are, whatever your interests, you'll find friends and professors here who will share your passions – and broaden your perspective. At UMBC, students from across the country and around the world (more than 80 different countries are represented here), come together in a collaborative culture that both challenges and supports everyone to push boundaries and make big breakthroughs. You can be yourself – and become your best self – at UMBC.

With more than 250 clubs and organizations, you'll find students interested in everything from food, culture, and the arts to athletics, anime, engineering, world politics, faith and more. And, at a host of campus-wide events each year like Homecoming and Quadmania, you'll enjoy festivals, parties, concerts and comedy shows.

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment
11,060
Foreign Countries Represented
85

Demographics

21.62%
Asian
19.12%
African-American
8.26%
Hispanic
39.11%
Caucasian
2.28%
Unknown
4.03%
International
45% female
55% male
5% are out of state
85% are full time
15% are part time

Students Say

More than one student says, “UMBC is a place where it is cool to be smart, and everything about the campus, including the students, exudes ’nerd-chic.’” In fact, an English major says that even “our president likes to say that it’s cool to be smart at UMBC.” This mentality is captured by a student who remarks, “Life at UMBC, aside from special events, revolves around classes and learning,” and most undergrads agree: “The typical student at UMBC is interested in doing well academically and not just here to party until graduation.” However, despite their dedication to hard work, UMBC students call themselves “enthusiastic and bright” and say “that almost every student at UMBC is involved with at least a couple of extracurricular activities, which connect them to the campus.” The school has a strong reputation for diversity and students feel “it enriches our school and everyone gets to know everyone despite culture or ethnicity.” A mechanical engineering student says, “This is even reflected in the high number of interracial couples I see on campus.” Overall, it seems, “People fit in by being intellectually creative and finding a community with which to discuss important issues.”

Overview

From The School


Location


UMBC is just 15 minutes from Baltimore's Inner Harbor and 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., in suburban Catonsville, Maryland. BWI Airport is five minutes away, as are AMTRAK and light rail stations. University-run Shuttle buses provide regular transportation to points in the surrounding area and Baltimore City. The Baltimore-Washington area is known for its music, sports, museums, restaurants, and historical traditions.

UMBC's main campus is located on 530 wooded acres, featuring housing and dining facilities on one side and core facilities on the other. Facilities include classroom and lab buildings, a performing arts center, a library, galleries, a student union, a bookstore, an Olympic-size pool, tennis courts. A newly renovated rec center includes an indoor track, basketball courts, a weight room, a spin room, and cardio and group fitness spaces. The campus also features an environmental conservation area with a hiking trail and bwtech@UMBC, an adjacent research and technology park that attracts firms in fields including engineering, information technology, and the life sciences.

Campus Facilities & Equipment


The Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building includes facilities such as 12 research labs, an environmental systems lab, and a BioProcess and Cell Science Facility, as well as lecture and seminar classrooms. Other scientific research equipment includes the world's largest nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, housed in the only Howard Hughes Medical Institute lab at a public University in Maryland, where students have the opportunity to conduct AIDS research alongside top faculty in the field.

The Performing Arts and Humanities Building at UMBC houses performance spaces that showcase the University's strong arts and humanities programs and creates a regional and national appreciation of the Baltimore area's strong arts community.

The UMBC Event Center seats 6,000 and hosts a variety of sports and entertainment events. The Commons, UMBC's student center, includes a food court, the University bookstore, a full-service bank, and student organization spaces.

UMBC's landmark building, the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery, contains over 1 million books and bound volumes of journals. The library also includes a gallery, the Honors College, and 24-hour study space. Library visitors can get spectacular views of campus, the surrounding areas, and the Baltimore City skyline from the 7th floor.

Off-Campus Opportunities


Surrounded by business, government, and metropolitan centers, UMBC places students in over 1,800 co-ops, internships, and research experiences in more than 500 organizations each year in the Baltimore-Washington area. UMBC matches students with such employers as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, General Electric, IBM, Morgan Stanley, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, the National Aquarium, Nielson, the National Security Agency, The Maryland General Assembly, The Smithsonian Institute, Under Armour, and the U.S. Department of State.

The university encourages students to participate in study abroad experiences during the semester or travel-study opportunities during winter and summer breaks. The Shriver Center links the resources of the campus to urgent social problems, places students in co-ops and internships at hundreds of businesses and organizations, organizes and manages community service projects that bring the resources of the university to people in need, and connects students to a wide range of social service projects.

Campus Life

Undergrads living on campus
36%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
86/99
First-Year Students living on campus
71%
Campus Environment
Large Urban
98/99

Housing Options

Apartment Single
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
International Student
Other
Theme Housing

Students Say

With 70 percent of first-year students living on campus, UMBC no longer deserves its commuter school reputation, though one ancient studies major says, “There are a lot of activities held by student organizations on campus during the week and on the weekends, but many students live close to campus and choose to go home for the weekend.” While some may see this as a downside others say, “The location of UMBC is true brilliance—so close to Baltimore. We hop over there on the weekdays even to go shopping or go out to eat.” Most lament the absence of a football team, and there are complaints about the parking facilities, as well as a desire for “better buildings and food options.” Despite these criticisms, a sociology major says, “Everyone on campus is nice and helpful to other students. People will always hold a door for you, help you pick up a dropped folder, or offer to share their notes with a student who missed class.”

Special Needs Admissions

Program / Service Name
Student Disability Services (SDS)
Type of Program
For all students with disabilities
Director
Tawny McManus
College Entrance Tests Required
Yes
Interview Required
No

Documentation Required for LD

SDS does not require different documentation specific to disability-type. A psychoeducational evaluation is recommended.

Documentation Required for ADHD

SDS does not require different documentation specific to disability-type.

Special Need Services Offered

Calculator allowed in exams
Yes
Dictionary allowed in exams
Yes
Computer allowed in exams
Yes
Spellchecker allowed in exams
Yes
Extended test time
Yes
Scribes
Yes
Proctors
Yes
Oral exams
Yes
Notetakers
Yes
Distraction-free environment
Yes
Accommodation for students with ADHD
Yes
Reading machine
Yes
Other assistive technology
Yes

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations
256
Number of Honor Societies
8
Number of Social Sororities
10
Number of Religious Organizations
20
3% join a fraternity
5% join a sorority

Sports

Athletic Division
Division I
11% participate in intramural sports
6% participate in intercollegiate sports
Men's Sports (Retrievers)
10 Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Diving
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Women's Sports (Retrievers)
11 Sports

Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Diving
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball

Student Services

Day Care
Health
Womens Center
LGBT Support Groups
Minority Support Groups
Army ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Johns Hopkins University
Navy ROTC Offered on-campus
Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: University of Maryland, College Park

Sustainability

74/99

Campus Security Report

Campus Security Report

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/security

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Apple Computer, Dell

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Lisa Romeo
Assistant Director of Campus Visits and Events
Address
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1000 Hilltop Cir
Baltimore, MD 21250
Phone
4104552291
Email
lromeo@umbc.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery
The Commons (Student Center)
Perfoming Arts and Humanities Building
Retriever Event Center
Starbucks
Students attend, and take part in, a world of excellent theatre, music and dance performances on campus. They go to art openings and lectures, start clubs and exchange ideas through the campus paper and literary magazines.
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Baltimore Inner Harbor
Washington D.C.
Patapsco State Park
Historic Ellicott City
Annapolis
UMBC is located 10 miles southwest of downtown Baltimore which provides easy access to entertainment, cultural activities and a wealth of opportunities for research, cooperative education and internship in a diversity of public and private organizations in the Baltimore-Washington area.

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Monday through Friday and selected Saturdays

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly
Advance Notice
1 week
Contact Email Address for Visit
https://www.umbcretrievers.com/information/directory/index

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
Admitted Students

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
The campus is located four miles from BWI airport. UMBC offers daily shuttle services for students from campus to the BWI Rail Station, downtown Baltimore and the nearby towns of Catonsville and Arbutus. The university also schedules van trips to Washington, D.C.
Driving Instructions to Campus
From the north, take Interstate 95 to Route 166 (Exit 47B, Catonsville) or take Interstate 83 to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695, west) and then take Exit 12C (Wilkens Avenue, west); follow the signs to UMBC. From the south, take Interstate 95 to Route 166 (Exit 47B, Catonsville); follow signs to UMBC.
Local Accommodations
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor 410-962-0202 Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport 410-859-3300 Holiday Inn BWI 410-694-6024


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