University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, Maryland · Public
ROI Score: 63/100 · Fair Value
University of Maryland Global Campus scores 63 and lands in the Fair Value tier - a strong outcome that masks a complicated story. UMGC is the University System of Maryland's online and adult-learner campus, and its 49,664 enrollment is dominated by working professionals (many military) earning credits part-time. The headline ROI numbers are excellent: $47,700 median six-year earnings climbing to $65,287 by year ten, an earnings premium of 34.3% (sub-score 75), a payback period of just 7.5 years (sub-score 79), and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 on $21,000 of debt (sub-score 83). These reflect the working-adult student profile: many students are already employed and use UMGC to credential into higher-paying roles. The dragging weakness is the 33.3% completion rate (sub-score 13), which is normal for a part-time adult-learner population but does pull the overall score down. Sticker tuition is just $8,136 in-state ($12,336 out-of-state), though the reported net price of $22,063 looks high - likely reflecting the mix of long-enrollment adult students living off-campus. With strong IT, business, and nursing programs, UMGC is one of the more financially defensible online options in the country.
The data raises concerns about University of Maryland Global Campus
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate33.3% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
University of Maryland Global Campus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,136/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $12,336/yr |
| Average net price | $22,063/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $88,252 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,287 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $47,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $223 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 33.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 49,664 |
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 Global Campus is $8,136/year ($12,336/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 $22,063/year, or roughly $88,252 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $21,830/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $223 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $65,287 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.44 - 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 | $21,830 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,400 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,400 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 are quoted $21,830 net per year (about $87,320 over four years). That figure looks high relative to the $8,136 sticker because it includes living expenses for off-campus adult learners. For a working student covering their own room and board, the relevant out-of-pocket cost is tuition only, which is genuinely affordable.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-48,000 and $48,001-75,000 brackets both report $24,400, identical - a likely data-suppression artifact rather than a real pricing decision. The $75,001-110,000 bracket reports no data. Working-adult cost calculations at UMGC are driven much more by employer tuition assistance, military benefits, and credit transfer than by income-banded aid.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $110,001+ bracket also reports no net-price data, again likely a suppression issue given the unusual student profile. Most UMGC students paying full freight are using GI Bill funding, military tuition assistance, or employer reimbursement, which materially changes the affordability picture from what the published net-price brackets suggest.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Maryland Global Campus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Information Science | $100,208 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $79,801 | B+ |
| Psychology | $58,439 | C |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $101,498 | B+ |
| Human Resources Management | $67,012 | C+ |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $100,937 | B+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $69,848 | C+ |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $70,119 | C |
| Accounting | $76,478 | C+ |
| Registered Nursing | $104,450 | A |
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.
Information Science
Information Science is by far the largest program at 2,001 graduates and posts $72,140 first-year earnings, $100,208 by year four, $20,806 of debt, and a 0.288 debt-to-earnings ratio for a B+ grade. This is the heart of UMGC's value proposition: high-volume online credentialing into federal-contractor and Maryland tech-corridor IT roles, with crisp ROI math.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 1,435 students with $62,634 first-year earnings and $79,801 by year four. Debt is $21,527 and debt-to-earnings is 0.344 for a B+ grade. This is the second-largest pipeline and another genuinely strong online business credential, particularly for working adults moving into management roles.
Psychology
Psychology graduates 630 students with $42,056 first-year earnings and $58,439 by year four. Debt is $23,465 and debt-to-earnings is 0.558 for a C grade. This is a meaningfully weaker outcome than UMGC's tech and business programs and reflects the structural earnings ceiling of undergraduate psychology without graduate continuation.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences graduates 546 students with $75,619 first-year earnings climbing to $101,498 by year four. Debt of $22,000 and debt-to-earnings of 0.291 yield a B+ grade. Combined with the Information Science track, UMGC has built one of the largest online CS pipelines in the country with credible labor-market outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing graduates 185 students with $92,323 first-year earnings and $104,450 by year four. Debt is $19,084 and debt-to-earnings is 0.207 for an A grade. UMGC's RN-to-BSN completion model serves working nurses upgrading their credentials, which produces both low debt and high earnings - the cleanest ROI in the catalog.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 58.3% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 62.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 45.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 51.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 49,664 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 29.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,948 |
Admission rate is not reported in current Scorecard data, which is consistent with UMGC's open-enrollment posture as a transfer-friendly adult-learner institution. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are also not reported. There is no traditional selectivity screen here; the school is built around access for working professionals and military service members who bring prior credits and life experience rather than standardized test scores.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UMGC's peer set (University of Baltimore, Bowie State, Penn State Main, Texas State, Kennesaw State) is interesting. Penn State Main is a flagship and not a meaningful comp on enrollment model. University of Baltimore is a closer fit as a Maryland upper-division and adult-learner institution and typically posts similar earnings profiles. Bowie State, Texas State, and Kennesaw State are regional residential publics with much higher completion rates but comparable earnings premiums. UMGC's 63 score is genuinely strong against this set given its non-traditional enrollment model.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland Global Campus (this school) | 63 | $22,063 | $65,287 |
| University of Baltimore | 64 | $13,868 | $61,335 |
| Texas State University | 63 | $16,805 | $56,906 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | 62 | $32,875 | $63,435 |
| Kennesaw State University | 60 | $15,048 | $57,552 |
| Bowie State University | 40 | $19,298 | $54,537 |
Who Thrives Here
Enrollment is enormous at 49,664 with a 29.4% Pell rate - lower than typical for an access-oriented school because many students are mid-career and earn above Pell thresholds. This is overwhelmingly the right environment for a working adult, active-duty service member, or veteran who needs flexible online coursework that transfers credits and credentials into higher pay. It is a poor fit for a traditional 18-22-year-old looking for residential college experience. Outcomes look strong for IT and business students who are already employed in adjacent roles.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Maryland Global Campus offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $22,063 per year leads to $88,252 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $65,287 a decade out. The payback period of 7.5 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 33.3% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $21,000 against $65,287 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.