At $18,328/yr net price, University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates earn $69,960/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $35,960/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,328 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,312 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $69,960/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$35,960/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 70.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,048/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,374/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,506/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,763/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,013/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $75,383 | $41,000 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,112 | $19,744 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Master | $72,134 | $28,537 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $70,009 | $19,500 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,600 | $20,500 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $62,111 | $19,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $60,240 | $19,563 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Certificate | $57,318 |
The Risk Factor
70.6% of students at University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
UMBC gives you a solid financial return, driven almost entirely by its engineering and computing programs. With median debt under $20,000 and median earnings near $70,000 a decade out, you graduate owing less than a single year's pay. The 87% retention rate and 70% graduation rate mean most people who start here finish, which is the first thing that protects your investment.
The clear winners are Computer Engineering and Computer Science, both landing above $70,000 while carrying the same modest debt as everyone else. Chemical, Mechanical, and Information Science graduates all clear $60,000. Baltimore and the DC corridor have real demand for these fields, so these degrees connect to nearby jobs. UMBC's earnings strength is concentrated in these technical majors. If you enroll planning to major in something outside engineering, computing, or information science, the strong numbers above may not describe your outcome, and no non-technical bachelor's data is listed to reassure you otherwise.
Your net price depends heavily on family income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $7,000 a year, and even the $30-48k tier stays around $11,000. Above $110,000, you pay roughly $27,000, close to four times what the lowest tier pays. The middle tiers see the sharpest jump, moving from $18,500 to nearly $25,000 as income crosses $75,000.
UMBC fits you well if you're targeting an engineering or computing degree and qualify for the lower net-price tiers. If you're a high-income family paying the top price for a non-technical major, run the numbers carefully before committing, because the payoff data here is built on the technical programs, not the whole catalog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County worth the cost for the salary you'll earn?
UMBC graduates earn a median of $69,960 after 10 years, which is solid but not exceptional given the $18,328 annual net cost. The return on investment is reasonable for most students, though not outstanding compared to other Maryland public universities.
Which programs at University of Maryland-Baltimore County have the best ROI?
Business Administration and Curriculum and Instruction lead with $76,460 median earnings, followed by Information Science at $75,383. Computer Engineering also pays well at $73,112, making these the strongest financial choices at UMBC.
How much debt do University of Maryland-Baltimore County students typically graduate with?
UMBC graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, which is manageable compared to the national average. This relatively low debt load helps improve the overall value proposition for most students.
Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County a good value for students who don't finish their degree?
With a 70.6% graduation rate, nearly 30% of UMBC students don't complete their degrees. Those who don't graduate still face debt without the earning potential that comes with a diploma, making completion rates a real financial risk to consider.