University of Maryland--Baltimore County

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Quick Stats
1000 Hilltop Circle

Baltimore, MD 21250

[map]
Phone: (410) 455-1000
2011-2012 Tuition
$9,171
in-state
$19,108
out-of-state
Students
10,210
enrolled
55%
male /
45%
female
Admissions
Feb. 1
application deadline
63.1%
accepted

More Information

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U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#157 National Universities

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Summary

University of Maryland--Baltimore County is a public institution that was founded in 1963. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,210, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 530 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. University of Maryland--Baltimore County's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 157. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,171 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,108 (2011-12).

University of Maryland—Baltimore County (UMBC) is located about 30 minutes from Washington, D.C. The university offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and more than 30 graduate programs, including those in the engineering, science, and public policy fields. UMBC bills itself as an honors university, and as such, hosts a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society and awards research grants to promising undergraduates, who then present what they’ve studied.

Students can have fun outside the academic world by participating in about 250 student organizations, pledging with one of the nearly 20 fraternities and sororities, or attending any of the annual campus events, such as the spring carnival and concert called “Quadmania.” Student athletes can play at the intramural level or try out for the nearly 20 UMBC Retrievers varsity teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I America East Conference. Notable UMBC alumni include actress Kathleen Turner, who starred in the movies Romancing the Stone, Peggy Sue Got Married, and The War of the Roses.

School mission (as provided by the school):

UMBC is a distinguished public research university that combines the traditions of the liberal arts academy, the creative intensity of the research university and the social responsibility of the public university. As an Honors University in Maryland, UMBC attracts outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who have access to professors working on the cutting edge of their disciplines. With recent national recognition for its diversity, affordability and student mentoring, UMBC has been cited as the #1 up-and-coming "school to watch" and #4 in undergraduate teaching at national universities. UMBC also has been recognized nationally for providing students with outstanding opportunities for undergraduate research and creative projects. The nationally acclaimed Meyerhoff Scholars science program and other outstanding scholars programs in public affairs, arts, humanities, education, and information systems contribute to a community of learners, while the many clubs, arts events, lectures and Division I sports create a lively campus. UMBC is well-known for its undergraduate research initiatives, including financial support for undergraduate research; publication in the UMBC Review; and opportunities to work alongside world-class faculty. With 12,000 students from more than 100 countries, the residential campus is in the heart of the nation's political center, 10 minutes from Baltimore and 30 minutes from Washington, DC. The location offers excellent access to cultural venues as well as internships in federal labs and the public and private sectors. UMBC graduates attend the nation's finest graduate and professional schools and are leaders in the arts, humanities, science, engineering, information technology, human services, and government both regionally and nationally

General Information

School type public, coed college
Year founded 1963
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar 4-1-4
Setting suburban
2010 Endowment $48,874,880

Applying

When applying to University of Maryland--Baltimore County, it's important to note the application deadline is February 1, and the early action deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due February 1. The application fee at University of Maryland--Baltimore County is $50. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 63.1 percent and an early acceptance rate of 55.0 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity more selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate 63%
Application deadline February 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by February 1

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at University of Maryland--Baltimore County is 20:1, and the school has 38.1 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Maryland--Baltimore County include: Social Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; and Visual and Performing Arts. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 85.5 percent.

Class sizes
Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio 20:1
4-year graduation rate 34% - Medium
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Social Sciences 16%
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services 15%
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 14%
Psychology 13%
Visual and Performing Arts 9%

More About Academic Life

Student Life

University of Maryland--Baltimore County has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,210, with a gender distribution of 54.8 percent male students and 45.2 percent female students. 36.6 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 63.4 percent of students live off campus. University of Maryland--Baltimore County is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at University of Maryland--Baltimore County.

Total enrollment 12,888
Student gender distribution
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

University of Maryland--Baltimore County offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. University of Maryland--Baltimore County also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at University of Maryland--Baltimore County, 72 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of Maryland--Baltimore County.

Students who have cars on campus 72% - Medium
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer Yes

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Paying for School

At University of Maryland--Baltimore County, 47.5 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $7,741.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees $9,171 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $19,108 (2011-12)
Room and board $9,620 (2011-12) - Medium
Financial aid statistics
Financial aid statistics

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Student Reviews

I think our schoool is a good size, large enough where you don't know everybody, but small enough where you see people you know when walking around campus. Most of my time spent on campus is in on-campus housing, the gym, the library, or The Commons. There is no college town atmosphere. I think UMBC's administration is too focused on the academic parts of the university - there are other aspects to a college other than great academics. School spirit needs to be addressed, as well as other involvement opportunities for students so that they can feel more a part of UMBC than just using UMBC as a stepping stone to get somewhere else. There has been an uprise of school pride in the past two years with the women's basketball team going to the school's first ever NCAA tournament last year and getting UMBC's first taste of national TV coverage and with this year's men's basketball team having an outstanding and exciting season that go UMBC even more free national TV coverage. The student body began to embrace UMBC and be excited about their school and show true school spirit. It is amazing what a successful sporting season that gets your school on a national level can do for a school. UMBC is very unusual in how diverse the community is. This is a great thing about UMBC in how anybody can find their niche on campus. One of the most frequent student complaints is that of the lack of parking - we need more student parking!

Sandy Junior

I was worried that UMBC would be too large. There are a couple of lecture hall style classes but I must admit that the professors want to see you. Even in the largest of my classes last year the professor made it no secret that he was available...to go over tests, help line up tutors if necessary and even serve as a stand in advisor on the subject or not. What I love about the campus is that for one I am not the only commuter. UMBC is an active campus and one would benefit from living on campus and being able to enjoy it full time however, UMBC still reaches out to commuters with often weekly activities. Additionally, there is this great vibe within the student body that makes you enjoy coming to class. I have never been to a campus that has been more postive and enthusiastic. People are truly motivated and still have a good time. There has been a great many times that I have stayed in a class and talked for an hour or so about the course or current politics. A car is a definite necessity and finding a parking spot can be a universal problem past a certain hour. But in general I can honestly say I could not be happier with my decision to transfer to UMBC. I love the faculty who respects the student. I love the campus that is beautiful and can give you quite the work out with all of those darn steps. I love my major and the great use of technology throughout every course and the availability to students.

Kimberly Junior

UMBC is a fairly quiet, suburban campus. It's good for people who want a medium size research institution, people who live near baltimore and want to stay close to home, and commuters. Much of the population commutes. Even though it's quiet, people still drink and party, but there are no huge on-campus parties. Walk off campus and you will find the blue collar town of Catonsville, but Baltimore is about 15 minutes up 695. It's also one of the most racially diverse schools you will find, but that is probably due to its location.

cdcs Sophomore

More student reviews

* Overview details based on 2010 data

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