


UMBC's Retrievers compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the America East Conference. Varsity offerings include sports such as basketball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming and diving, and track and field.
Varsity teams are only one way to participate. Club sports, intramural activities, and campus recreation provide alternatives with different schedules and competitive commitments. A sport appearing in a broad campus activity listing is not necessarily an NCAA varsity sport: football, for example, should not be mistaken for a UMBC varsity football program. Students interested in a particular team should confirm its current level of competition and tryout process.
UMBC students can join organizations spanning academic interests, cultural communities, service, the arts, and recreation. Representative groups include the Student Government Association, Student Events Board, Resident Student Association, cultural organizations, and club sports.
These groups serve different purposes: student government represents student interests, event organizers develop programming, and residence-based organizations focus on students living on campus. Student media and performing-arts groups offer additional ways to participate. Because recognized organizations and meeting schedules can change, the current student-organization directory is more useful than an old club list when deciding how to get involved.
UMBC enrolls about 13,906 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs. Its reported entering undergraduate population included 2,241 first-time degree-seeking students and 790 transfer-in students.
Most students in the reported geographic breakdown were Maryland residents. The student body includes both traditional-age undergraduates and older students, although the 18-to-24 age range accounts for much of the enrollment. Reported demographic counts also reflect substantial Black and Asian student populations alongside students from many other racial and ethnic backgrounds. These figures describe enrollment, not any individual student's experience.
UMBC combines a residential campus with a large commuter population. Reported figures indicate that about 35% of students live on campus and about 65% commute, so daily routines can differ considerably between students who stay for evening activities and those who travel home after class.
Welcome activities, student programming, recreation, and campus gathering spaces create opportunities to meet peers outside courses. UMBC also reports a student health clinic and personal counseling services. Students balancing classes with work or a commute may find it particularly useful to check the hours of academic support, wellness services, and events rather than assume that everything happens during the class day.
UMBC's main library is the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery. It provides study space and access to research materials for coursework and faculty-led projects.
Students can use library research assistance, online scholarly resources, and reservable study rooms. The library also offers interlibrary borrowing options for materials beyond its own holdings. Some study areas have extended or around-the-clock availability during designated periods; students should check current building and service hours, since access to a study area does not necessarily mean that staff or every service is available at the same time.
Total enrollment
13906Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
2251Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
620 full time, 340 part timeVeterans affair office
YesVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Cross-country running
Equestrian sports
Fencing
Football
Ice hockey
Lacrosse
Rugby
Sailing
Sand volleyball
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and diving
Tennis
Track and field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Wrestling
Data last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.