University of Maryland Eastern Shore SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
UMES is highly accessible, so your strategy should focus on building the academic foundation to stay on track once you enroll. With a 3.07 average GPA and test-optional policy, submit SAT or ACT scores only if they strengthen your academic picture, especially if your transcript has uneven spots.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore facts and stats
University of Maryland Eastern Shore enrolls about 2,477 undergraduates in a small-town campus setting. UMES has a freshman retention rate of 62% and a 6-year graduation rate of 35%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1.
Princess Anne, MD
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Key University of Maryland Eastern Shore application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
February 15
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
February 15
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to test-optional UMES, plan to take your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and fall of senior year for superscore-focused retakes. With UMES’s Regular Decision deadline on February 15, a December retake should still leave time for scores to arrive.
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What you'll actually pay
UMES, a public university in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, lists in-state tuition at $5,750 and out-of-state tuition at $16,769. About 81% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is February 15.

At UMES, out-of-state tuition is $16,769, while in-state tuition is $5,750, with room and board adding $12,646. About 81% of students receive aid, and the average aid package is $14,975. Merit awards average $2,868, which can help reduce remaining costs. Graduates leave with an average debt of $30,610.
Student life at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
62% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus.
Similar schools
Allegany College of Maryland
Cumberland, MDAcceptance rate: 100%
SAT: 1114–1372
ACT: 23–30
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MDAcceptance rate: 100%
ACT: 18–25
Bowie State University
Bowie, MDAcceptance rate: 75%
SAT: 790–970
Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MDAcceptance rate: 11%
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