University of Maryland, Baltimore County College Portrait
University of Maryland, Baltimore County1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250
(410) 455-2291
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership. UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC contributes to the economic development of the State and the region through entrepreneurial initiatives, workforce training, K-16 partnerships, and technology commercialization in collaboration with public agencies and the corporate community. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility and lifelong learning.
For the third year in a row, UMBC tops the U.S. News rankingof national universities everyone should be watching – a designation recognizing that we consistently find new ways to improve students’ educational experiences. That approach builds on a long-standing commitment to combine outstanding research and undergraduate teaching.
U.S. News also ranks UMBC fourth on a list of the top national universities“where the faculty has an unusual commitment to undergraduate teaching.” UMBC is tied with Yale University and ranks just ahead of Brown and Stanford universities.
Living in the Retrievers Community
Those who know UMBC love UMBC. Our campus is full of students and faculty who constantly push their limits. Research, creativity and collaboration can be found within and between disciplines. And with more than 200 student clubs and organizations, at UMBC you can explore all of your interests—and discover new ones. Learning takes place in many different ways and in a variety of settings. Students discover an environment with a strong undergraduate liberal arts and sciences focus. A medium-sized public research university, UMBC provides students with opportunities to get hands-on research experience working with professors at the top of their fields. The university's academic reputation and industry partnerships help to place students in promising careers and leading graduate programs. UMBC is more than a collection of majors, courses and activities that lead to a degree; it is a group of people who make real contributions. UMBC is a place where you can find something new every day. It is a community that welcomes your talents, ideas and individuality.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
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| Total Students | 12,888 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 10,210 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 4,617 | 45% |
| Men | 5,593 | 55% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 40 | <1% |
| Asian | 2,125 | 21% |
| African American / Black | 1,671 | 16% |
| Hispanic | 457 | 4% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 47 | <1% |
| White | 5,131 | 50% |
| Two or More Races | 165 | 2% |
| International | 407 | 4% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 167 | 2% |
| Where do University of Maryland, Baltimore County undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 90% |
| Other US States & Territories | 6% |
| Other Countries | 4% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are University of Maryland, Baltimore County undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 21 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 13% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 24 - 29 | |
| Math | 560 - 670 | |
| Critical Reading | 540 - 640 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 53% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 83% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 53% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.57 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 99% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $3,520
Final 2011-2012 academic year cost of attendance will be available July 2011
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend University of Maryland, Baltimore County varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 37% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $7,931. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 32% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,271. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 19 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 62% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 86% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 481 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 43% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 19% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 86% |
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Campus-based Housing
75% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
37% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
The UMBC Police Department is a full-service department that provides police coverage and response 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The staff includes sworn police officers, security officers, communications specialists and student marshals. Police officers, with jurisdiction for the UMBC campus, respond to criminal offenses, service requests, complaints and incidents. The department is committed to community policing.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Research Universities (high research activity)
- Size and Setting
- Medium four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, more selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Arts & sciences focus, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Doctoral, STEM dominant
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
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Student Activities and Involvement at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 93% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 56% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 26% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 85% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 26% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 60% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 53% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 14% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 77% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 94% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 62% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 67% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 88% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 45% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 71% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 91% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 64% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 62% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 86% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 70% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 79% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 80% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 76% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 1,915 |
| Master's | 505 |
| Doctoral | 84 |
| Total | 2,504 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 12% |
| Biology, General | 10% |
| Information Science/Studies | 7% |
| Economics | 7% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 6% |
| Links to degree programs at University of Maryland, Baltimore County |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 92% four-year success and progress rate means that 92% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,402 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 887 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 84%
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Student Learning at University of Maryland, Baltimore County
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.