University of Maryland-College Park vs University of Baltimore
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 30-point ROI advantage over University of Baltimore, scoring 94/100 versus 64/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Baltimore comes in at $13,868 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,678 at University of Maryland-College Park - a difference of $1,810 annually, or roughly $7,240 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn a median of $82,860 compared to $61,335 at University of Baltimore. The payback period is 4.2 years at University of Maryland-College Park versus 7.4 years at University of Baltimore.
Graduates leave University of Maryland-College Park with a median $19,000 in debt versus $23,250 at University of Baltimore. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.52 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Maryland-Co... | University of Baltimore |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $11,809 | $9,992 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,186 | $23,984 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,678 | $13,868 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $62,712 | $55,472 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $50,100 | $45,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $82,860 | $61,335 |
| Graduation Rate | 88.6% | 38.2% |
| Payback Period | 4.2 yr | 7.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,000 | $23,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $201 | $246 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.52 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.5% | 56.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 83.0% | 52.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 44.8% | 78.7% |
| Enrollment | 30,760 | 1,133 |
| SAT Range | 1400-1530 | 740-1330 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Maryla... | University of Baltim... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $2,962 | $11,680 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $6,051 | $14,337 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,273 | $17,472 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,250 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | $26,691 | $19,406 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Maryla... | University of Baltim... |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science | $109,092 | $54,529 |
| Accounting | $97,314 | $73,028 |
| English Language and Literature | $59,288 | $48,981 |
| Psychology | $57,575 | $48,862 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Maryla... | University of Baltim... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 88 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 97 | 80 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 70 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 95 | 18 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 87 | 13 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 64 |
The Verdict
University of Maryland-College Park significantly outperforms University of Baltimore on financial ROI (94 vs 64). The 30-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless University of Baltimore 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.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
University of Maryland-College Park
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Baltimore
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.