Best Value Information Science/Studies Colleges in Maryland

Maryland's Information Science programs show striking variation in return on investment, with University of Maryland-College Park graduates earning $66,485 annually while University of Baltimore alumni average just $31,839. The state's proximity to federal agencies and contractors creates strong demand for information professionals, particularly around the National Security Agency and National Institutes of Health. Coppin State University offers the most affordable option at $6,007 net cost, though graduation rates vary dramatically across institutions. Public universities dominate the lower-cost tier, with six schools under $18,000 annually. Johns Hopkins commands premium pricing at $18,161 net cost but delivers a 94.60% graduation rate. The wide earnings gap reflects Maryland's dual economy, where government-adjacent positions in the Baltimore-Washington corridor pay significantly more than other regional opportunities.

Programs

$6,007 – $29,633

Net Price Range

$57,787

Avg. Program Earnings

58.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Information Science/Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, Maryland	$14,514	$64,608	$7,992	29.6%
2	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$15,590	$66,485	$11,505	88.6%	44.6%
3	Strayer University-Maryland Suitland, Maryland	$18,092	$65,355	$13,920
4	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$57,564	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
5	University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland	$18,328	$62,111	$12,952	70.6%	80.6%
6	Towson University Towson, Maryland	$16,791	$56,544	$11,306	67.6%	78.6%
7	University of Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland	$17,546	$31,839	$9,772	46.7%	89.3%
8	Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, Maryland	$15,026		$25,200	40.0%	51.4%
9	Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland	$6,007		$7,001	25.6%	45.0%
10	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323		$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
11	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland	$18,161		$63,340	94.6%	7.3%
12	Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, Maryland	$29,633		$55,480	80.5%	83.5%
13	Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland	$15,015		$8,118	41.6%	85.4%
14	Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, Maryland	$24,536		$41,910	51.9%	69.6%
15	Stevenson University Owings Mills, Maryland	$26,806		$39,708	66.4%	84.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $34,646 earnings gap between top and bottom programs?

University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn $66,485 compared to $31,839 at University of Baltimore, reflecting different career paths and employer networks. College Park's proximity to federal contractors and 88.60% graduation rate help students access higher-paying government and defense positions. University of Baltimore's 46.70% graduation rate and urban location may limit opportunities despite lower debt loads. The federal government and defense sector around Washington D.C. consistently pay premium salaries for information science roles.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Maryland?

Johns Hopkins leads with a 94.60% graduation rate at $18,161 net cost, while Coppin State graduates only 25.60% of students despite costing just $6,007. Most mid-range programs achieve 50-70% graduation rates, suggesting a sweet spot around $15,000-$18,000 annually. University of Maryland-College Park combines strong outcomes with reasonable costs at $15,590 net price and 88.60% graduation rate. The data shows that extremely low-cost programs often struggle with student success metrics.

Does attending a public university guarantee lower debt in Maryland?

Public universities generally offer better debt outcomes, with most students borrowing under $25,000 compared to private alternatives. However, Strayer University creates an exception with $40,250 in average debt despite being categorized as a for-profit institution. University of Maryland schools maintain consistent debt levels around $19,500 across campuses. The data shows that in-state tuition at public institutions ranges from $7,001 to $12,952, making them accessible for Maryland residents.

Where do the highest-earning graduates typically find employment?

Graduates earning over $60,000 annually typically work for federal agencies, defense contractors, and biotech companies concentrated around Baltimore and Washington D.C. University of Maryland-College Park's $66,485 average reflects strong placement with NSA, NIH, and government consulting firms. UMBC graduates earning $62,111 often join cybersecurity companies or research institutions in the region. Maryland's information science job market benefits from sustained federal spending on technology and data analysis initiatives.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.