University of Maryland-College Park vs Bowie State University
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 Maryland-College Park holds a 54-point ROI advantage over Bowie State University, scoring 94/100 versus 40/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Maryland-College Park comes in at $15,678 per year (net price after aid) versus $19,298 at Bowie State University - a difference of $3,620 annually, or roughly $14,480 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn a median of $82,860 compared to $54,537 at Bowie State University. The payback period is 4.2 years at University of Maryland-College Park versus 11.1 years at Bowie State University.
Graduates leave University of Maryland-College Park with a median $19,000 in debt versus $22,985 at Bowie State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.67 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Maryland-Co... | Bowie State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,809 | $9,218 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,186 | $19,938 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,678 | $19,298 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $62,712 | $77,192 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $50,100 | $34,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $82,860 | $54,537 |
| Graduation Rate | 88.6% | 38.2% |
| Payback Period | 4.2 yr | 11.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,000 | $22,985 |
| Monthly Payment | $201 | $244 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.67 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.5% | 43.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 35.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 44.8% | 72.4% |
| Enrollment | 30,760 | 5,043 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Maryla... | Bowie State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $2,962 | $17,071 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,051 | $16,646 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,273 | $19,163 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,250 | $22,808 |
| $110,001+ | $26,691 | $24,919 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Maryla... | Bowie State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $86,590 | $70,427 |
| History | $60,089 | $68,077 |
| Sociology | $65,974 | $57,075 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $65,136 | $53,181 |
| Biology | $64,867 | $59,995 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $62,362 | $55,788 |
| Teacher Education | $58,086 | $60,746 |
| English Language and Literature | $59,288 | $48,707 |
| Psychology | $57,575 | $54,082 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Maryla... | Bowie State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 55 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 55 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 35 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 95 | 18 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 87 | 5 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 40 |
The Verdict
University of Maryland-College Park significantly outperforms Bowie State University on financial ROI (94 vs 40). The 54-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Bowie State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Maryland-College Park.
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University of Maryland-College Park
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Bowie State University
Poor 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.