University of Maryland Global Campus vs Kennesaw 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 Global Campus holds a 3-point ROI advantage over Kennesaw State University, scoring 63/100 versus 60/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Kennesaw State University comes in at $15,048 per year (net price after aid) versus $22,063 at University of Maryland Global Campus - a difference of $7,015 annually, or roughly $28,060 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland Global Campus graduates earn a median of $65,287 compared to $57,552 at Kennesaw State University. The payback period is 7.5 years at University of Maryland Global Campus versus 8.9 years at Kennesaw State University.
Graduates leave University of Maryland Global Campus with a median $21,000 in debt versus $23,833 at Kennesaw State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.62 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Maryland Gl... | Kennesaw State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,136 | $5,808 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $12,336 | $17,736 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,063 | $15,048 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $88,252 | $60,192 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,700 | $38,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $65,287 | $57,552 |
| Graduation Rate | 33.3% | 52.2% |
| Payback Period | 7.5 yr | 8.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,000 | $23,833 |
| Monthly Payment | $223 | $253 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.62 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 62.7% | 69.2% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 45.4% | 60.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 69.2% |
| Enrollment | 49,664 | 41,254 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Maryla... | Kennesaw State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $21,830 | $12,235 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $24,400 | $12,661 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $24,400 | $15,185 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | N/A | $18,263 |
| $110,001+ | N/A | $19,309 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Maryla... | Kennesaw State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $104,450 | $87,935 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $101,498 | $83,249 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $100,937 | $95,958 |
| Information Science | $100,208 | $84,364 |
| International Relations | $82,263 | $61,971 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $78,512 | $81,002 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $79,801 | $70,708 |
| Accounting | $76,478 | $77,710 |
| Marketing | $60,811 | $72,089 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $69,848 | $55,033 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $67,181 | $59,675 |
| Psychology | $58,439 | $50,645 |
| History | $55,336 | $43,954 |
| English Language and Literature | $54,444 | $50,587 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Maryla... | Kennesaw State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 75 | 79 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 79 | 69 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 83 | 45 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 13 | 44 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 22 | 38 |
| Overall ROI Score | 63 | 60 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Maryland Global Campus edges out Kennesaw State University by 3 points (63 vs 60), 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 Maryland Global Campus
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Kennesaw State University
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.