Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 36.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 34.6%
- Retention Rate
- 66.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $47,697
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 27.1%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $119,486 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $101,964 | |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $61,516 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $31,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $46,478 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $37,568 | $24,750 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor | $32,658 | $20,437 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,854 | $27,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $28,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,409 | $28,250 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $29,882 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,141 | $26,000 |
| Air Transportation. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $26,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Bachelor | $28,598 | $29,000 |
Outcomes Overview
UMES graduates face significant financial challenges with $27,000 in median debt against $47,697 in ten-year earnings. The debt represents 57% of annual income, well above the recommended 10% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 7.2% of typical graduate income. The 27% loan repayment rate signals widespread financial strain among alumni. Many graduates enter agriculture, marine science, and aviation fields where starting salaries often lag behind debt obligations. The school's strong programs in specialized fields create niche career opportunities, but the 34.6% six-year graduation rate limits earning potential for many students. Despite quality programs, UMES offers a weak return on investment.