The University of Alabama vs University of Maryland Global Campus
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
The University of Alabama and University of Maryland Global Campus are closely matched on financial return. The University of Alabama scores 64/100 while University of Maryland Global Campus scores 63/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of Maryland Global Campus comes in at $22,063 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,420 at The University of Alabama - a difference of $357 annually, or roughly $1,428 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland Global Campus graduates earn a median of $65,287 compared to $59,221 at The University of Alabama. The payback period is 9.5 years at The University of Alabama versus 7.5 years at University of Maryland Global Campus.
Graduates leave University of Maryland Global Campus with a median $21,000 in debt versus $22,750 at The University of Alabama. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.54 and 0.44 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Alabama | University of Maryland Gl... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,180 | $8,136 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,172 | $12,336 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,420 | $22,063 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $89,680 | $88,252 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,400 | $47,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,221 | $65,287 |
| Graduation Rate | 73.4% | 33.3% |
| Payback Period | 9.5 yr | 7.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $22,750 | $21,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $241 | $223 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.54 | 0.44 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 71.2% | 62.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 63.6% | 45.4% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.6% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 33,227 | 49,664 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Al... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $19,169 | $21,830 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $19,884 | $24,400 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $22,258 | $24,400 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $25,658 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | $26,729 | N/A |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Al... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $115,980 | $101,498 |
| Registered Nursing | $85,532 | $104,450 |
| Accounting | $87,621 | $76,478 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $85,020 | $78,512 |
| International Relations | $61,617 | $82,263 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,715 | $79,801 |
| Marketing | $77,451 | $60,811 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $52,619 | $77,259 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,796 | $69,848 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,548 | $67,181 |
| Psychology | $49,900 | $58,439 |
| History | $50,213 | $55,336 |
| English Language and Literature | $44,278 | $54,444 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Al... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 59 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 64 | 79 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 66 | 83 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 83 | 13 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 43 | 22 |
| Overall ROI Score | 64 | 63 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Alabama edges out University of Maryland Global Campus by 1 points (64 vs 63), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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The University of Alabama
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Maryland Global Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.