University of Maryland-Baltimore County
University of Maryland-Baltimore County — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Maryland-Baltimore County at a Glance
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is a public research university in Catonsville, Maryland, United States. It had a fall 2025 enrollment of 13,530 students. In 2019, it had 61 undergraduate majors, over 92 graduate programs and the first university research park in Maryland. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity".
1966
60 years old
$179M
$179.1 million (2025)
13,530
11,087 undergrad · 2,443 grad
594
17:1 student:faculty
500 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Official admissions page$50
Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County Worth It?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $16,467/year, it's priced 19% below average, while graduates go on to earn $69,960 — 30% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: University of Maryland-Baltimore County delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Maryland-Baltimore County compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 22 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 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | 93 | $16,504 | $84,276 |
| #4 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | 81 | $16,298 | $82,957 |
| #5 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | 75 | $16,467 | $69,960 |
| #6 | University of Vermont | 63 | $19,343 | $62,472 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Maryland-Baltimore County's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MD.
Best Programs at University of Maryland-Baltimore County
The highest-earning program at University of Maryland-Baltimore County is Computer Engineering at $68,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from University of Maryland-Baltimore County earns $68,900, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,600. 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: Computer Engineering graduates carry $25,182 in median debt vs. $21,945 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,467/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $68,900 | $68,900 | $25,182 |
| Computer Science | $64,400 | $64,400 | $21,375 |
| Information Science/Studies | $59,800 | $59,800 | $19,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,100 | $58,100 | $23,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $51,900 | $51,900 | $23,500 |
| Economics | $45,900 | $45,900 | $18,611 |
| Mathematics | $45,100 | $45,100 | $23,000 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $39,200 | $39,200 | $21,125 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $38,000 | $38,000 | $24,746 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $37,100 | $37,100 | $22,500 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $35,300 | $35,300 | $23,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,300 | $34,300 | $20,500 |
| Sociology | $33,500 | $33,500 | $21,419 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,700 | $32,700 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $32,700 | $32,700 | $20,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,300 | $30,300 | $22,375 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $29,700 | $29,700 | $23,000 |
| History | $28,500 | $28,500 | $21,500 |
| Psychology, General | $28,200 | $28,200 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General | $26,300 | $26,300 | $21,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,600 | $22,600 | $21,945 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
- Student Body
- 10,701 students
- Admission Rate
- 72%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,467
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $69,960
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500