College Park, MD · Private University
Is University of Maryland Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$82,860
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$11,505
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$40,306
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$161,224
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.06x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
88.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,590
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Maryland-College Park graduates earn $37,860 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Maryland-College Park ranked by graduate earnings
74 graduates
506 graduates
96 graduates
208 graduates
429 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Maryland-College Park
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Maryland-College Park, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $108,499) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $34,060) is $74,439/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $108,499 | 2.7x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $99,756 | 2.5x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $95,516 | 2.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $95,162 | 2.4x |
| Information Science/Studies | $95,042 | 2.4x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $94,416 | 2.3x |
| Mathematics | $91,552 | 2.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,980 | 2.2x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $89,937 | 2.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $88,783 | 2.2x |
| Agricultural Engineering | $88,252 | 2.2x |
| Engineering, Other | $85,817 | 2.1x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $84,592 | 2.1x |
| Civil Engineering | $81,235 | 2.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $79,654 | 2.0x |
| Chemistry | $78,447 | 1.9x |
| Marketing | $77,908 | 1.9x |
| Physics | $77,164 | 1.9x |
| Economics | $72,814 | 1.8x |
| International Business | $71,738 | 1.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $67,120 | 1.7x |
| Geography and Cartography | $65,748 | 1.6x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $64,537 | 1.6x |
| Food Science and Technology | $63,809 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,691 | 1.6x |
| Architecture | $63,218 | 1.6x |
| Philosophy | $60,654 | 1.5x |
| Criminology | $60,067 | 1.5x |
| Area Studies | $59,629 | 1.5x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $59,032 | 1.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $58,292 | 1.4x |
| Public Health | $58,232 | 1.4x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $58,144 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $57,608 | 1.4x |
| Journalism | $57,180 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $54,880 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $54,690 | 1.4x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $54,321 | 1.4x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $54,193 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $53,258 | 1.3x |
| History | $53,052 | 1.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $50,796 | 1.3x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $50,598 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $50,422 | 1.3x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $50,284 | 1.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,743 | 1.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $46,659 | 1.2x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $46,606 | 1.2x |
| Public Policy Analysis(1yr data) | $45,642 | 1.1x |
| Animal Sciences | $45,332 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $34,060 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland-College Park | 2.06x | $82,860 | Strong ROI |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 2.16x | $68,758 | Strong ROI |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 2.35x | $81,054 | Strong ROI |
| Stony Brook University | 2.46x | $74,502 | Strong ROI |
| Binghamton University | 2.74x | $80,596 | Strong ROI |
| Clemson University | 1.81x | $71,513 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Maryland-College Park stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $82,860 10 years after starting — $37,860 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.4 years — faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to University of Maryland-College Park?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.