University of Maryland-Baltimore County vs College of Charleston

University of Maryland-Baltimore County and College of Charleston are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: College of Charleston is more selective with a 72.0% acceptance rate compared to University of Maryland-Baltimore County's 74.2%. Average SAT scores are 1299 and 1238 respectively.

Cost: University of Maryland-Baltimore County offers a lower average net price at $18,328, which is $1,190 less than College of Charleston ($19,518). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Maryland-Baltimore County earn a median salary of $69,960 ten years after enrollment, which is $13,544 more than College of Charleston graduates ($56,416).

Graduation: University of Maryland-Baltimore County leads with a 70.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 87.1% vs 82.3%.

Campus Size: University of Maryland-Baltimore County is the larger campus with 10,434 total students, while College of Charleston has 10,366.

Bottom Line: University of Maryland-Baltimore County stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.