At $6,007/yr net price, Coppin State University graduates earn $46,490/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,490/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,007 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,028 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,490/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,490/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,635/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,960/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,140/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $6,586/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,238/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $73,231 | $23,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $47,260 | $68,598 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $20,017 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $36,132 | $29,982 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,864 | $30,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,046 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $32,772 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $31,839 | $35,250 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $25,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $32,595 |
The Risk Factor
25.6% of students at Coppin State University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Coppin State's financial picture is mixed, and it hinges almost entirely on what you study. The net price sits around $6,000 a year, which is low for a four-year public school, so the cost side is manageable. The problem is the return: median earnings ten years out land near $46,500, and a 25.6% graduation rate means three out of four students who enroll don't finish on time. That graduation gap is the biggest financial risk here. If you borrow the typical $25,000 and leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings bump.
Nursing is the clear winner. At about $73,000, it pays more than double what psychology graduates earn, and it comes with lower debt than most other programs on this list. If you can get into and finish nursing, Coppin pays off cleanly.
The rest of the picture is weaker. Biology, health administration, teaching, and psychology all land in the $34,000 to $38,000 range. Teaching and health administration are worse deals because they pair those low salaries with debt above $30,000. Psychology sits at the bottom for pay while still carrying $27,000 in debt.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $5,000 to $6,000 a year. Families over $110,000 pay more than $15,000, so the value shifts sharply at the top.
Coppin is a good financial fit if you're targeting nursing or you qualify for the lower-income price tiers and are confident you'll graduate. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to the lower-paying majors here and would need to borrow near $30,000 to finish them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coppin State University worth the cost?
Coppin State has a very low net price at $6,007 per year, but graduates earn only $46,490 after 10 years and the graduation rate is just 25.6%. The nursing programs offer strong returns with graduates earning over $73,000, but other majors show weaker outcomes.
What programs at Coppin State University have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Coppin State deliver the strongest returns, with graduates earning $73,231 annually. Other health-related fields like rehabilitation earn around $47,260, while education and general biology majors earn significantly less at $35,000-38,000.
How much debt do Coppin State University graduates have?
Coppin State graduates typically leave with $25,000 in debt, which is manageable given the low cost of attendance. However, with median earnings of $46,490, debt-to-income ratios vary widely depending on your major.
Why is Coppin State University's graduation rate so low?
Only 25.6% of students graduate from Coppin State, which significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition. This low completion rate means many students accumulate debt without earning a degree.