At $14,514/yr net price, University of Maryland Global Campus graduates earn $65,287/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $31,287/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,514 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $58,056 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,287/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,287/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,514/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Doctoral | $103,078 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $89,921 | $35,875 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Certificate | $87,068 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $87,025 | $41,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $83,768 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Certificate | $77,401 | |
| Biotechnology. | Master | $75,921 | $37,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $75,518 | $12,500 |
| Security Science and Technology. | Master | $74,953 | $39,520 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $72,006 | $40,166 |
The Risk Factor
29.6% of students at University of Maryland Global Campus 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
University of Maryland Global Campus gives you a solid financial payoff, but only if you finish. Your median debt of $21,000 sits below what you'd earn back within a year at $65,287, and the sub-$15,000 net price keeps the risk low compared to most four-year schools. The catch is the 29.6% graduation rate and 52.8% retention. Nearly half of you leave, and leaving with debt and no degree is the worst outcome here.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays the most and loads you with the least debt, so the gap between what you owe and what you earn is wider than any other program. The three computing and IT tracks all land in the mid-$60,000s, which makes them a reliable bet given Maryland's tech and government job market. Computer/Information Technology Administration carries more debt than the other computing degrees for similar pay, so the general Computer and Information Sciences or Information Science paths give you a cleaner return. Natural Resources Conservation earns the least of the listed programs while carrying debt near the top, so it pays off slowest.
The main risk is not price, it's completion. UMGC serves working and online learners, and the low retention shows how easy it is to stall out. If you're disciplined, self-directed, and treating this as a way to finish a degree around a job, the low net price and strong nursing and IT earnings make it a smart financial fit.
Net price stays at $14,514 whether your family earns under $30,000 or more, so there's no income-based discount to count on. Lower-income families pay the same sticker as everyone else, which makes finishing quickly your best lever for keeping the total cost down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Maryland Global Campus worth the cost?
UMGC offers decent value with a low net price of $14,514 and median debt of just $21,000. However, the 29.6% graduation rate is concerning, and the 10-year median earnings of $65,287 are modest compared to other Maryland schools.
What programs at University of Maryland Global Campus have the best ROI?
Business and technology programs show the strongest returns, with business graduates earning around $103,000 and computer/IT management graduates earning $87,000-$90,000 ten years after graduation. These programs justify the investment better than the school average.
How much debt do University of Maryland Global Campus graduates typically have?
UMGC graduates carry a median debt of $21,000, which is relatively manageable. The low net price helps keep borrowing down, though the poor graduation rate means many students may accumulate debt without finishing their degree.
Does University of Maryland Global Campus have good job placement after graduation?
The school's 29.6% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. While graduates in business and tech fields see decent earnings, the low completion rate indicates significant risk that students may not reach graduation to benefit from job placement services.