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University of Maryland-College Park vs Johns Hopkins University: which has better ROI?

Public, College Park MD · vs · Private nonprofit, Baltimore MD

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Maryland-College Park has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,712 in 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Johns Hopkins University, on median earnings of $82,860 vs $87,555 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Maryland-College ParkJohns Hopkins University
Net price / yr$15,678$18,809
Total net cost$62,712$75,236
Median earnings, 10 yrs$82,860$87,555
Median debt$19,000$10,250
Payback1.8 yrs1.9 yrs
20-year net return$627,288$708,664

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University?

University of Maryland-College Park, at $15,678 a year after aid versus $18,809 — a gap of $3,131 a year, or $12,524 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more?

Johns Hopkins University graduates report a median $87,555 ten years after entry, $4,695 more than the $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park. 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, University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University?

Johns Hopkins University: its completers carry a median $10,250 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University of Maryland-College Park, a difference of $8,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

94% of students finish at Johns Hopkins University, against 89% at University of Maryland-College Park. 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.

University of Maryland-College Park vs Johns Hopkins University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University a better value?
University of Maryland-College Park. It clears its $62,712 net cost in about 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Johns Hopkins University, on median earnings of $82,860 vs $87,555 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University?
University of Maryland-College Park: $15,678/yr net price after aid versus $18,809/yr at Johns Hopkins University — a difference of $3,131 a year, or about $12,524 over four years.
Do University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more?
Johns Hopkins University graduates earn a median $87,555 ten years after entry, versus $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park — a $4,695 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.