Morgan State University
Morgan State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Morgan State University at a Glance
Morgan State University is a public historically black research university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is the third largest among all Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs). In 1890, the university, then known as the Centenary Biblical Institute, changed its name to honor Lyttleton Morgan, the first chairman of its board of trustees and a donor. It became a university in 1975.
1867
159 years old
10,739
9,027 undergrad · 1,712 grad
818
143 acres
Identity
Is Morgan State University Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Morgan State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,698 — 6% below average — while paying $14,985/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $27,250 representing 54% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Morgan State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Morgan State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #74 of 119 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 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #4 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #5 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #6 | Cypress College | 86 | $4,606 | $43,533 |
| #74 | Morgan State University | 35 | $14,985 | $50,698 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Morgan 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 Morgan State University
The highest-earning program at Morgan State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Morgan State University earns $63,000, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,100. 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 $32,682 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,985/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 | $63,000 | $63,000 | $32,682 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $57,000 | $57,000 | $26,978 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,600 | $55,600 | $29,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $50,500 | $50,500 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $30,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $44,600 | $44,600 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,700 | $37,700 | $32,977 |
| Marketing | $35,100 | $35,100 | $33,000 |
| Architecture | $33,300 | $33,300 | $27,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $30,600 | $30,600 | $33,212 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $29,800 | $29,800 | $31,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $29,400 | $29,400 | $42,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $28,125 |
| Social Work | $28,500 | $28,500 | $34,000 |
| Journalism | $27,800 | $27,800 | $31,000 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $31,000 |
| Sociology | $26,000 | $26,000 | $28,400 |
| Biology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $31,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
- Student Body
- 9,019 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,985
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,698
- Median Student Debt
- $27,250