University of Maryland Global Campus vs Pennsylvania State University-Main 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
University of Maryland Global Campus and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus are closely matched on financial return. University of Maryland Global Campus scores 63/100 while Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus scores 62/100 - 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 $32,875 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - a difference of $10,812 annually, or roughly $43,248 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Maryland Global Campus graduates earn a median of $65,287 compared to $63,435 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The payback period is 7.5 years at University of Maryland Global Campus versus 9.5 years at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Graduates leave University of Maryland Global Campus with a median $21,000 in debt versus $25,000 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.44 and 0.57 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Maryland Gl... | Pennsylvania State Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,136 | $20,644 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $12,336 | $41,790 |
| Net Price (avg) | $22,063 | $32,875 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $88,252 | $131,500 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,700 | $43,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $65,287 | $63,435 |
| Graduation Rate | 33.3% | 86.1% |
| Payback Period | 7.5 yr | 9.5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $21,000 | $25,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $223 | $265 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.44 | 0.57 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 62.7% | 79.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 45.4% | 74.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 60.6% |
| Enrollment | 49,664 | 42,284 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Maryla... | Pennsylvania State U... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $21,830 | $19,845 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $24,400 | $20,049 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $24,400 | $25,667 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | N/A | $31,834 |
| $110,001+ | N/A | $37,831 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Maryla... | Pennsylvania State U... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $101,498 | $120,729 |
| Registered Nursing | $104,450 | $91,032 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $100,937 | $98,637 |
| Information Science | $100,208 | $91,671 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $78,512 | $96,714 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $93,246 | $81,617 |
| Accounting | $76,478 | $88,192 |
| International Relations | $82,263 | $68,918 |
| Human Resources Management | $67,012 | $81,755 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $79,801 | $72,218 |
| Marketing | $60,811 | $79,343 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $77,259 | $60,193 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $70,119 | $75,396 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | $70,845 | $60,745 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $69,848 | $56,877 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Maryla... | Pennsylvania State U... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 75 | 46 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 79 | 64 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 83 | 58 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 13 | 94 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 22 | 68 |
| Overall ROI Score | 63 | 62 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Maryland Global Campus edges out Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus by 1 points (63 vs 62), 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
Pennsylvania State University-Main 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.