University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, Maryland · Public · 44.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 94/100 · Exceptional Value
University of Maryland-College Park
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $11,809/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $41,186/yr |
| Average net price | $15,678/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $62,712 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $82,860 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $50,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $201 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 88.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 30,760 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
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 | $2,962 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,051 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,273 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,250 |
| $110,001+ | $26,691 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Maryland-College Park with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $137,931 | A |
| Information Science | $109,092 | B+ |
| Biology | $64,867 | C |
| Psychology | $57,575 | C |
| Public Health | $72,328 | C |
| Finance and Financial Management | $110,648 | B+ |
| Political Science and Government | $67,258 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $100,003 | B+ |
| International Relations | $74,437 | B |
| Economics | $83,880 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Maryland-College Park is $11,809/year ($41,186/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 $15,678/year, or roughly $62,712 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $2,962/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $26,691/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $19,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $201 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $82,860 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.38 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 83.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 83.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 44.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 710-780 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 690-750 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 32-35 |
| Enrollment | 30,760 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $17,205 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland-College Park (this school) | 94 | $15,678 | $82,860 |
| University of California-Davis | 95 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 94 | $14,091 | $78,466 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 93 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| University of Baltimore | 64 | $13,868 | $61,335 |
| Bowie State University | 40 | $19,298 | $54,537 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Maryland-College Park is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $62,712 and median graduate earnings of $82,860 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.2 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 88.6% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $19,000 is very manageable against $82,860 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.