Frostburg State University
Frostburg State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Frostburg State University at a Glance
Frostburg State University (FSU) is a public university in Frostburg, Maryland. The university is the only four-year institution of the University System of Maryland west of the Baltimore-Washington passageway in the state's Appalachian Highlands. Founded in 1898 by Maryland State Senator, John Leake, Frostburg was selected because the site offered the best suitable location without a cost to the state. Today, the institution is a largely residential university.
1898
128 years old
$26M
US$ 26.4 million (2020)
4,075
3,344 undergrad · 731 grad
315
260 acres
Identity
Is Frostburg State University Worth It?
Frostburg State University offers moderate value at $16,715/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,493, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 51% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Frostburg State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #60 of 134 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #4 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
| #60 | Frostburg State University | 42 | $16,715 | $55,493 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Frostburg State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MD.
Best Programs at Frostburg State University
The highest-earning program at Frostburg State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $29,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Frostburg State University earns $67,900, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $29,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $8,250 in median debt vs. $25,877 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,715/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,900 | $67,900 | $8,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,400 | $36,400 | $23,490 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,500 | $34,500 | $20,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,300 | $32,300 | $23,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,000 | $32,000 | $20,399 |
| Psychology, General | $30,300 | $30,300 | $23,964 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,300 | $29,300 | $25,877 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Frostburg, MD
- Student Body
- 2,909 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,715
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,493
- Median Student Debt
- $21,105