At $15,323/yr net price, Frostburg State University graduates earn $55,493/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,493/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,323 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $61,292 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,493/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,493/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,105 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,930/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,850/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,130/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,905/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,754/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $78,719 | $20,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $68,219 | $16,750 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $18,500 |
| Education, General. | Master | $43,426 | $31,761 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $41,789 | $37,462 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $39,153 | $22,001 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $37,363 | $19,938 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $36,398 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $33,637 | $25,000 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
52.1% of students at Frostburg State University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Frostburg State gives you a moderate, program-dependent return. At about $15,000 a year net, the total cost stays low enough that median earnings of roughly $55,000 and median debt near $21,000 leave most graduates in workable territory. The catch is that your major decides almost everything here.
Nursing and general engineering are the two degrees that clearly pay off. Nursing graduates out-earn business majors by more than $30,000 a year while carrying about $8,000 less debt, which is the widest gap on this campus. Engineering lands close behind. If you come here for either, the math works strongly in your favor.
The rest is weaker. Accounting, teacher education, and business administration all land in the mid-to-high $30,000s. Business administration is the worst combination on the list: the lowest earnings paired with the highest debt at $25,000. Accounting and teaching carry meaningful debt for pay that barely clears entry level. Picking one of these means expecting a slow payoff.
The real risk is completion. A 52% graduation rate and 66% retention mean a third of students don't return after the first year, and roughly half never finish. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and those odds are real here. Weigh that before you borrow.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 in family income, you pay about $8,900 a year. over $110,000, you pay about $22,800. That's a $14,000 annual spread, so this school is a genuine bargain if your family earns under $48,000 and a more ordinary deal above $110,000.
Come here for nursing or engineering, especially from a lower-income household. If you're set on business or unsure you'll finish, price it against schools with better completion odds first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frostburg State University worth the money?
Frostburg State offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $15,323 and manageable debt of $21,105. However, the 52% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI for those who leave without a degree.
What are the highest paying majors at Frostburg State University?
Business Administration leads at $78,719 average earnings, followed by Nursing at $68,219 and Engineering at $63,005. Education majors earn significantly less at around $42,000, making the program harder to justify financially.
How much student debt do Frostburg State University graduates have?
The median debt of $21,105 is reasonable compared to many schools. With average earnings of $55,493 ten years after graduation, most graduates should be able to manage their loan payments.
What is the job market like for Frostburg State University graduates?
Graduates earn $55,493 on average ten years out, which is modest but reasonable given the school's affordable cost. The high acceptance rate and low graduation rate suggest academic standards may not prepare all students well for competitive job markets.