At $15,590/yr net price, University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn $82,860/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $48,860/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,590 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $62,360 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $82,860/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$48,860/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 88.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,603/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,327/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,237/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,855/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,239/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $112,923 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $106,102 | $64,438 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Master | $101,746 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $94,408 | |
| Engineering, General. | Master | $94,112 | $35,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $84,653 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $80,466 | $20,417 |
| Chemistry. | Doctoral | $73,949 | |
| Agricultural Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,164 | $22,437 |
| Physics. | Doctoral | $72,899 |
The Risk Factor
88.6% of students at University of Maryland-College Park graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at University of Maryland-College Park is strong, and the math is clean: median debt sits at $19,000 against $82,860 in median earnings a decade out. You pay off less than a quarter of your annual salary in total loans. Add an 88.6% graduation rate and a 95.66% retention rate, and the odds you actually finish and land a paying job are high.
The top-paying majors here cluster in computing and engineering. Computer and Information Sciences leads at $84,653, and it comes with no listed debt figure, meaning graduates borrow little for one of the school's highest returns. Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering pay in the low $70,000s but carry $20,000-plus in debt, so the payoff is real but the borrowing is heavier. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods is the value pick: $72,762 in earnings against just $14,943 in debt, the lowest borrowing of any top program. Maryland's proximity to the D.C. tech and federal contracting corridor supports these salaries.
The main risk is what the data doesn't show. Only STEM and quantitative business programs appear in the top earners, so if you enroll in a humanities or arts major, you can't assume these numbers apply to you. Choose your major deliberately here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families heavily. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $3,603 a year. From $48,000 to $75,000, that climbs to $12,237, still manageable against expected earnings. Above $110,000, you pay $26,239, and the return stays positive but the discount disappears.
This school fits you if you're targeting computing, engineering, or quantitative business and qualify for need-based aid. Look harder at the numbers before committing to a lower-earning major at full price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Maryland-College Park worth the cost?
University of Maryland-College Park offers solid value with a net price of $15,590 and graduates earning $82,860 after 10 years. The relatively low debt load of $19,000 and strong 89% graduation rate make it a good investment for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Maryland-College Park?
Educational Administration leads at $112,923, followed by Business Administration at $106,102 and Aerospace Engineering at $101,746. These programs significantly outperform the school's average graduate earnings of $82,860.
How much student debt do University of Maryland-College Park graduates have?
The median debt is $19,000, which is manageable compared to the $82,860 starting salary most graduates earn. This debt-to-income ratio makes repayment realistic for most students.
Does University of Maryland-College Park have good financial aid?
With a net price of $15,590 for in-state students, UMD provides decent value through state funding and aid programs. Out-of-state students face much higher costs that may not justify the return on investment.