Towson University vs University of Maryland-Baltimore County: which has better ROI?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $65,868 in 3 years versus 4.3 years at Towson University, on median earnings of $69,960 vs $64,390 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Towson University | University of Maryland-Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,413 | $16,467 |
| Total net cost | $69,652 | $65,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,390 | $69,960 |
| Median debt | $18,718 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 4.3 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $250,948 | $366,132 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Towson University or University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County, at $16,467 a year after aid versus $17,413 — a gap of $946 a year, or $3,784 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Towson University or University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates earn more?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates report a median $69,960 ten years after entry, $5,570 more than the $64,390 at Towson University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Towson University or University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
Towson University: its completers carry a median $18,718 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, a difference of $782. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, against 69% at Towson University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.