University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, Maryland · Public · 44.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 94/100 · Exceptional Value
University of Maryland-College Park scores 94 (Exceptional Value) on the CampusROI scale. The data case is strong: $50,100 median 6-year earnings, 88.6% completion rate, 4.2-year payback period, median debt of $19,000, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.379. In-state tuition of $11,809 and a net price of $15,678 make this one of the most efficient large research universities in the country relative to outcomes. Computer Science (873 graduates, $99,756 year-one, $137,931 year-four) and Computer Engineering (104 graduates, $95,847 year-one, $152,422 year-four) are top performers nationally. Management Sciences (121 graduates, $72,304 year-one, $111,649 year-four) and Finance (415 graduates, $75,689 year-one, $110,648 year-four) give the business college strong anchors. Information Science (661 graduates, $70,344 year-one, $109,092 year-four) is among the largest high-earning programs in the dataset. At 30,760 enrolled, Maryland is large enough to offer genuine breadth across engineering, business, public policy, and the sciences. The proximity to Washington, D.C., is a structural advantage for students entering government, consulting, intelligence, and nonprofits -- outcomes the Scorecard captures only partially. The 88.6% completion rate at a public flagship is above average for the sector.
The median graduate earns $82,860 ten years after entry - well above the national median of roughly $55,000 for 4-year college graduates.
University of Maryland-College Park
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $2,962 per year -- among the lowest net prices at any flagship research university in this dataset. Four years at $2,962 totals $11,848, which is less than two months of median year-one CS earnings. For low-income students who gain admission and qualify for maximum aid, Maryland represents one of the best investments in American public higher education. The 88.6% completion rate means most students who start will finish.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $10,273 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $18,250. Both are very reasonable for a flagship research university with $50,100 median six-year earnings. Middle-income families in Maryland paying in-state rates with these aid levels face a total four-year cost of $41,092-$73,000 -- a strong value by any measure.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $26,691 per year for in-state students, totaling $106,764 over four years. For CS, engineering, or finance students, this is repaid in roughly 1-2 years of working. For out-of-state families, the $41,186 tuition produces a very different cost structure -- out-of-state full-pay at Maryland is still competitive with many private universities but requires the higher earnings programs to justify.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science at Maryland is among the strongest ROI programs in this entire dataset: 873 graduates, $99,756 year-one, $137,931 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.200 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $20,000 against nearly $100,000 year-one earnings means the debt is recovered in less than three months of post-tax income. Maryland's CS program has a national reputation; graduates place at major tech firms, federal agencies, and financial services companies. For in-state students, this is a top-ten value in the country.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering (104 graduates) earns $95,847 year-one and $152,422 year-four -- the highest four-year figure among Maryland's reported programs. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.216 (ROI grade A). The trajectory from $95k to $152k at year four reflects strong career progression into senior technical or management roles. Median debt of $20,695 is low relative to this earnings profile. This program rivals the output of top-10 engineering schools on a per-graduate basis.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (415 graduates) earns $75,689 year-one and $110,648 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.258 (ROI grade B+). The Smith School of Business pipeline into Washington, D.C., financial services, consulting, and government contracting supports these outcomes. Median debt of $19,500 is very manageable. For in-state students, this is among the best finance programs by cost-to-outcome ratio in the Mid-Atlantic.
Information Science
Information Science (661 graduates) earns $70,344 year-one and $109,092 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.287 (ROI grade B+). This is one of the largest high-earning programs in the Scorecard dataset -- 661 graduates with $70k year-one earnings is a genuine labor market signal, not a small-sample artifact. Maryland's iSchool feeds into data analytics, cybersecurity, and information management roles at federal agencies and defense contractors as well as private tech.
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
Aerospace Engineering (142 graduates) earns $78,631 year-one and $98,044 year-four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.286 (ROI grade B+). Maryland's proximity to NASA Goddard, the DoD, and federal aerospace contractors creates a specialized pipeline that supports these outcomes. Median debt of $22,500 at $78k year-one is a 0.29 ratio -- comfortable. For students interested in aerospace or defense, Maryland's location is a direct career advantage.
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 |
At 44.8%, Maryland is moderately to highly selective. SAT 710-780 Math and 690-750 Reading, ACT 32-35, describe the middle half. The competitive programs (CS, Engineering, Smith School of Business) have higher internal bars than the institutional average. In-state students who can access the in-state tuition rate of $11,809 face one of the most favorable cost-outcome ratios in the country; out-of-state tuition of $41,186 shifts the calculus significantly.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Maryland's Scorecard peers include University of California-Davis, University of Washington-Seattle, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, and University of Baltimore. The peer research universities (UC Davis, UW, UIUC) all score in the 88-95 ROI range. Maryland's 94 is competitive with UIUC (approximately 93) and UW (approximately 91). Maryland's Computer Engineering four-year earnings of $152,422 are among the highest for any public university in this peer group. The DC location gives it unique advantages in government, policy, and defense that California-focused schools cannot replicate.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
Maryland admits 44.8% of applicants with SAT ranges of 710-780 Math and 690-750 Reading; ACT 32-35. At 30,760 enrolled, it operates at scale, which means real variability in program quality and student experience. The Pell grant rate of 19.4% is moderate for a flagship. Maryland's strongest draws are engineering, computer science, and business for students oriented toward high-demand career tracks. The Washington, D.C., metro location shapes an outsized share of career opportunities -- internships at federal agencies, defense contractors, and policy organizations are accessible in ways unavailable to flagship universities in other regions.
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.
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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.