University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore at a Glance
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is a public historically black land-grant research university in Princess Anne, Maryland. It is part of the University System of Maryland. It is classified among "Research Colleges and Universities". It was established as Delaware Conference Academy. It has also been known as Princess Anne Academy and other names during its evolution.
1886
140 years old
$26M
$26.2 million (2017)
2,467
335
1,138 acres
Identity
Is University of Maryland Eastern Shore Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,697 — 11% below average — while paying $13,338/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 57% 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 University of Maryland Eastern Shore has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Maryland Eastern Shore compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #98 of 144 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #98 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | 31 | $13,338 | $47,697 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Maryland Eastern Shore'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 Eastern Shore
The highest-earning program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore is Hospitality Administration/Management at $30,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $23,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Hospitality Administration/Management graduate from University of Maryland Eastern Shore earns $30,100, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $23,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Hospitality Administration/Management graduates carry $21,899 in median debt vs. $27,534 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,338/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $30,100 | $30,100 | $21,899 |
| Biology, General | $29,100 | $29,100 | $26,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $28,600 | $28,600 | $29,000 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $27,200 | $27,200 | $32,000 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $28,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $27,100 | $27,100 | $27,958 |
| Sociology | $26,700 | $26,700 | $29,957 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,534 |
Similar Colleges in MD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Princess Anne, MD
- Student Body
- 2,391 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,338
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,697
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000