Explore Every Angle At UMBC
Start Your Journey
Great things happen when you’re part of a community that believes in you.
First-Year Students
Apply as a First-Year Student if you have or are currently earning your high school diploma or GED but have not earned college credits AFTER earning your diploma or GED.
Transfer Students
Apply as a Transfer Student if you have completed college-level coursework at an institution of higher education after receiving a high school diploma or a GED.
International Students
Apply as an international student if you will need a non-immigrant visa to study and live in the United States.
Returning Students
If your studies at UMBC were interrupted for two or more semesters, apply as a returning student to finish your degree.
Admitted Students
Welcome to UMBC! There is lots to know as an admitted student, and we have you covered, whether you are looking to further explore #RetrieverNation or are ready to join our community!
Additional Student Info
Find Your Path
As an Honors University in Maryland, we’re known for helping our students land the careers they want. But you don’t have to take our word for it. The Boston Globe calls us a “successful model of how to educate a diverse group of students and send them on to promising careers.”
UMBC Undergraduate Admissions
Events & Deadlines
Featured Events and Campus Tours
Important Deadlines
Fall Enrollment Application Deadlines
Early Action Admission to UMBC (First-Year)
Honors College Priority Admission
Regular Admission to UMBC (First-Year)
Honors College Regular Admission
Priority Admission to UMBC (Transfer)
Honors College Priority Admission
Regular Admission to UMBC (Transfer)
Honors College Regular Admission
Spring Enrollment Application Deadlines
Priority Admission to UMBC (First-Year)
Honors College Priority Admission
Regular Admission to UMBC (First-Year)
Honors College Regular Admission
Priority Admission to UMBC (Transfer)
Honors College Priority Admission
Regular Admission to UMBC (Transfer)
Honors College Regular Admission
An Investment in You
We give you the best of what private institutions might offer–highly respected professors and world-class research opportunities–without the hefty price tag.
$54M
Average total aid given each year by UMBC
UMBC By the Numbers
UMBC Student Body Profile
Overall
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| White (3,640) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 26.9 |
| Black (3,138) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 23.2 |
| Asian (2,849) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 21.1 |
| International (1,553) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 11.5 |
| Hispanic (1,363) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 10.1 |
| Two or More Races (709) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 5.2 |
| Not Specified (252) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 1.9 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (15) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 0.1 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native (11) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 0.1 |
46.1% Women
53.9% Men
Undergraduate
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| White (2,982) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 26.9 |
| Black (2,811) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 25.4 |
| Asian (2,633) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 23.7 |
| Hispanic (1,237) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 11.2 |
| Two or More Races (650) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 5.9 |
| International (542) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 4.9 |
| Not Specified (209) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 1.9 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (13) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 0.1 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native (10) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 0.1 |
45.68% Women
54.32% Men
Graduate
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| International (1,011) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 41.4 |
| White (658) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 26.9 |
| Black (327) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 13.4 |
| Asian (216) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 8.8 |
| Hispanic (126) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 5.2 |
| Two or More Races (59) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 2.4 |
| Not Specified (43) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 1.8 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (2) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 0.1 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native (1) (Percentage of Total Student Population) | 0 |
48.01% Women
51.99% Men
UMBC’s student community is one of the most diverse in the nation, reflecting its status as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).
UMBC was ranked among the top 50 most ethnically diverse colleges in the U.S.. The university first opened its doors in 1966 as Maryland’s first public college inclusive of all races, and this commitment to diversity and social justice continues today.
Over 59.76% of students are from minority backgrounds. Students come from all 50 states and 100+ countries, contributing to a vibrant mix of perspectives.
These charts show distribution of UMBC’s Fall 2025 student population by race and ethnicity. Data reflects self-reported information and is shown as a percentage of the total overall, undergraduate, and graduate enrollment.
School Colors
BLACK & GOLD
Mascot
Our mascot True Grit represents qualities shared by both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed of dogs and UMBC students and alumni: hard-working; sensitive and serious; and loyal and protective of those they’ve grown to love.
Retriever Stories
@UMBClife
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