University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Baltimore, Maryland · Public · 72.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 84/100 · Strong Value
The University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) earns an 84 ROI score and lands in Strong Value tier, the highest score in this batch and one of the better public-university results on the platform. UMBC has built a national reputation in STEM (especially computer science, computer engineering, and information science) and a research-university profile that punches above its size. In-state tuition is $13,256 (out-of-state $31,275), net price is $16,467, total 4-year cost $65,868. Median 6-year earnings of $42,900 climb to $69,960 at 10 years, payback period is a quick 5.9 years, median debt is $19,500, and debt-to-earnings is 0.455. The completion rate is 70% and the three-year repayment rate is 77.8%. The earnings premium subscore of 91 reflects UMBC's strong feeder pipelines into Baltimore-DC metro tech, biotech, federal government, and defense employers. Among public flagships and near-flagships in the Mid-Atlantic, UMBC's combination of low in-state cost and strong STEM earnings makes it one of the cleanest value propositions in the region.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,256/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $31,275/yr |
| Average net price | $16,467/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $65,868 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,960 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 70.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 10,701 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Maryland-Baltimore County is $13,256/year ($31,275/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,467/year, or roughly $65,868 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,087/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $25,439/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $207 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $69,960 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.46 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,087 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,714 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,543 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,172 |
| $110,001+ | $25,439 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $5,087 net, one of the best access prices in the dataset. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $10,714. For Pell-eligible Maryland students, UMBC is functionally tuition-free after Pell and state grants, with manageable federal-loan coverage of remaining cost. Genuine high-access pricing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $16,543 and the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $22,172. The aid curve is well-shaped: middle-income families face meaningful but reasonable costs. Combined with strong earnings outcomes, the math is compelling for middle-income Maryland families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $25,439 net, $5,836 below the $31,275 out-of-state sticker. UMBC's pricing structure favors in-state residents heavily, and high-income Marylanders still see meaningful discount versus sticker. The combination of cost discipline and STEM earnings makes UMBC competitive with private alternatives at 3-4x cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Maryland-Baltimore County with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $54,039 | C |
| Computer Science | $105,706 | A |
| Biology | $69,724 | C |
| Information Science | $95,435 | B+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,078 | B+ |
| Economics | $79,729 | B |
| Social Work | $58,412 | C |
| International Relations | $64,756 | C |
| Mathematics | $88,967 | B+ |
| Health Professions, Residency Programs | $68,823 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is UMBC's flagship program with 330 graduates, posting $83,684 in 1-year earnings and $105,706 at year four. The 0.239 debt-to-earnings ratio against $20,000 of debt earns an A grade. This is one of the cleanest large-cohort ROI cases in the dataset: starting pay near the national average for the major, six-figure 4-year earnings, and a Baltimore-DC tech labor market with Amazon, Lockheed, NSA-cleared contractors, and federal cybersecurity hiring.
Biology
Biology graduates 318 students with $33,055 in 1-year earnings and $69,724 at year four. The 0.605 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a C grade against $20,000 of debt. The year-one figure reflects the pre-health bottleneck: many UMBC biology graduates are in MCAT prep, post-bacc programs, or research-tech roles in year one before progressing into medical, dental, PA, or graduate biology pathways. The 4-year jump captures that progression.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 332 students with $35,721 in 1-year earnings and $54,039 at year four. The 0.574 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a C grade. Modest undergraduate earnings, healthy 4-year progression. Graduates entering the Baltimore-DC social-services and federal-agency labor market (where psychology credentials translate to case management and federal-civilian roles) see steadier wage progression than national psychology averages would suggest.
Information Science
Information Science posts 226 graduates with $63,334 in 1-year earnings and $95,435 at year four. The 0.326 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a B+ grade against $20,633 of debt. UMBC's information science program is a quieter sibling to CS but feeds into the same DMV tech and federal data-analytics labor market. The combination of in-state pricing and 95K 4-year earnings makes this one of the strongest non-CS ROI cases.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering graduates 111 students with $71,519 in 1-year earnings and $95,078 at year four. The 0.301 debt-to-earnings ratio earns a B+ grade. ME at UMBC feeds into the defense contractor pipeline (Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Naval Air Systems Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground), where engineering pay with clearances scales sharply. Debt of $21,500 against these earnings is comfortably serviced.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 71.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 78.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 72.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 610-720 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 630-700 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 25-31 |
| Enrollment | 10,701 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 30.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,145 |
UMBC admits 72.4% of applicants, a moderately selective public posture. SAT mid-ranges of 610-720 in math and 630-700 in reading are strong, and ACT composites of 25-31 reinforce that the admitted population is academically prepared. The 70% completion rate is consistent with that admit profile and confirms the institution is selecting and supporting students effectively. STEM-prepared students fare best.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UMBC's peer set is well-matched. Rutgers Newark is the closest Mid-Atlantic peer in size, mission, and STEM emphasis. University of Baltimore and Bowie State are intra-Maryland peers with different missions; Bowie is the HBCU peer with a different population profile. University of Rhode Island and CU Denver are out-of-state public regionals. Within the directly comparable Mid-Atlantic STEM-focused public set, UMBC's combination of in-state pricing and earnings outcomes is among the strongest, with computer science earnings ($83K year one) approaching private-flagship levels.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County (this school) | 84 | $16,467 | $69,960 |
| Rutgers University-Newark | 82 | $19,703 | $74,479 |
| University of Rhode Island | 79 | $21,440 | $69,743 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | 76 | $11,900 | $64,270 |
| University of Baltimore | 64 | $13,868 | $61,335 |
| Bowie State University | 40 | $19,298 | $54,537 |
Who Thrives Here
UMBC fits Maryland and broader Mid-Atlantic students targeting STEM career pathways, especially computer science, computer engineering, information science, biotech, and quantitative social sciences. With 10,701 students and a 30% Pell rate, the campus is mid-size, diverse, and STEM-heavy. Strong fits are technically prepared students with a Baltimore-DC metro target labor market (NSA, federal agencies, defense contractors, biotech corridor). Weaker fits are arts and humanities students; UMBC's data is most unforgiving in fine arts, music, and theater.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Maryland-Baltimore County delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $16,467 per year ($65,868 over four years), graduates earn a median of $69,960 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.9 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 70.0% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $19,500 is very manageable against $69,960 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.