The University of Maryland, Baltimore County is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. As a regional accreditor, Middle States examines the entire institution including its educational programs and curricula, student achievement, faculty, facilities, student support services, financial condition and administrative effectiveness. As part of the Division of Academic Affairs and an academic program of UMBC, the UMBC English Language Institute falls under this institutional accreditation.
UMBC’s Reputation
The top 5 in Most Innovative Schools
(2017 U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges Guide”)
UMBC ranks in the top five on its closely-watched Most Innovative Schools list, joining Stanford, MIT, ASU-Tempe, and Georgia State. College presidents, provosts, and admissions deans nationwide nominate universities for this list, based on cutting-edge developments in curriculum, campus life, technology, and other areas.
The No.4 Most Innovation National University and No.6 Undergraduate Teaching
(2016 U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges Guide”)
The 2016 U.S. News ranked UMBC at #6, tied with Yale and ahead of Stanford and Duke, for strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. In the ranking of “Most Innovative Schools,” UMBC was #4 in the nation, joining MIT and Stanford in the top five.
The 15 most innovative universities in the country
(Tech Insider, Sep 17, 2015)
The No.1 “Up-and-Coming” National University
(2015 U.S. News Best Colleges)
UMBC has been chosen for six years in a row as the top “Up-and-Coming” national university in the US for making the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty and student life.
“Best Undergraduate Teaching” National Universities
(2015 U.S. News Best Colleges)
UMBC was recognized as a top university for undergraduate teaching in 2015 U.S. News Best Colleges guide, ranking 5th nationally, ahead of Brown, Yale, and Stanford Universities. UMBC is also recognized for prioritizing intensive undergraduate research and creative work along with UCLA, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Featured in the Princeton Review’s 2015 “Best College” Guide
(The Princeton Review, 2015 “The Best 379 Colleges”)
The guide highlights UMBC’s strengths in academics. One student quoted in the profile says, “UMBC is a place where it is cool to be smart, and everything about the campus, including the students, exudes ’nerd-chic.’” Undergraduates also expressed enthusiasm for the “academic opportunities and scholarship programs available,” and said, “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.”
“College That Pay Your Back”
(The Princeton Review, 2016 “Colleges That Pay Your Back”)
Arguably the “best public college in Maryland,” UMBC is an “extremely diverse school” that manages to maintain a “small community feel.” And from the moment you set foot on campus it’s evident that the university is focused on “providing exceptional education and research opportunities for students.”
“Best Values in Colleges”
(Kiplinger’s “Best Values in Colleges”, December 2015)
Kiplinger’s annual list of the 300 best values in colleges and universities…meet our standards for their blend of strong academics and affordability.
Rich Experience, Exceptional Value
(2015 Fiske Guide to College)
Fiske Guide honors UMBC for excellence and affordability, highlights strength in social sciences. Fiske selects colleges that prioritize excellence in academics and student life, as well as financial accessibility.