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University of Maryland-Baltimore County — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Baltimore, MD · 10,701 students

The verdict

University of Maryland-Baltimore County charges a net price of $16,467/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $65,868. Graduates earn a median $69,960 ten years after entry, $21,600/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3 years — a 20-year net return of $366,132, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Maryland-Baltimore County's 3-year payback ranks #185 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 86% of them, and #5 of 52 in Maryland.

Better ROI than 86% of US colleges#185 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$16,467
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$69,960
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
3 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
72%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Maryland-Baltimore County: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$16,467/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$65,868our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$69,960Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$21,600/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$19,500Scorecard, 2026
Payback3 yrsour math
20-year net return$366,132our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Maryland-Baltimore County's own numbers. Net price $16,467 × 4 years = $65,868 total. Median earnings $69,960 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $21,600 a year of premium. $65,868 ÷ $21,600 = 3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $366,132. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do University of Maryland-Baltimore County students graduate with?

A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 28% of the $69,960 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Maryland-Baltimore County students graduate?

70% finish their degree. Spread the $65,868 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $94,097 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County expensive compared with other Maryland colleges?

Its $16,467 net price runs $1,111 below the $17,578 median across the 52 Maryland colleges we profile, and $4,444 less across the full degree.

University of Maryland-Baltimore County: frequently asked questions

Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Maryland-Baltimore County charges $16,467/yr after aid ($65,868 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $69,960 ten years out — $21,600/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 3 years and returns $366,132 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a University of Maryland-Baltimore County degree take to pay off?
About 3 years. We divide the $65,868 four-year net cost by the $21,600/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Maryland-Baltimore County cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $16,467/yr — about $65,868 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Maryland-Baltimore County compare to other Maryland colleges?
It ranks #5 of 52 Maryland colleges we track by payback. Its $69,960 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $16,467 net price is below the national median of $16,902.