University of California-Davis vs University of Maryland-College Park
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
University of California-Davis and University of Maryland-College Park are closely matched on financial return. University of California-Davis scores 95/100 while University of Maryland-College Park scores 94/100 - 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 California-Davis comes in at $14,741 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park - a difference of $937 annually, or roughly $3,748 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn a median of $82,860 compared to $80,838 at University of California-Davis. The payback period is 4.3 years at University of California-Davis versus 4.2 years at University of Maryland-College Park.
Graduates leave University of California-Davis with a median $13,000 in debt versus $19,000 at University of Maryland-College Park. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.29 and 0.38 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of California-... | University of Maryland-Co... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $16,774 | $11,809 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $50,974 | $41,186 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,741 | $15,678 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $58,964 | $62,712 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $45,300 | $50,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $80,838 | $82,860 |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 88.6% |
| Payback Period | 4.3 yr | 4.2 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $13,000 | $19,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $138 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.29 | 0.38 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 88.2% | 85.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.9% | 83.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 41.8% | 44.8% |
| Enrollment | 32,253 | 30,760 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Califo... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $9,211 | $2,962 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,966 | $6,051 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $11,951 | $10,273 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,294 | $18,250 |
| $110,001+ | $31,272 | $26,691 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Califo... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $145,422 | $152,422 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $138,673 | $144,501 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $86,155 | $111,649 |
| Chemical Engineering | $102,649 | $102,149 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $102,161 | $100,003 |
| Mathematics | $72,640 | $99,689 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $93,414 | $98,044 |
| Materials Engineering | $89,983 | $97,714 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,939 | $93,280 |
| Physics | $78,569 | $90,900 |
| Economics | $83,248 | $83,880 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $70,754 | $80,470 |
| Chemistry | $73,365 | $79,869 |
| International Relations | $67,759 | $74,437 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $72,778 | $74,402 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | University of Maryla... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 97 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 95 | 89 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 95 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 92 | 87 |
| Overall ROI Score | 95 | 94 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of California-Davis edges out University of Maryland-College Park by 1 points (95 vs 94), 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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University of California-Davis
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Maryland-College Park
Exceptional 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.