University of Maryland-College Park vs University of Maryland-Baltimore County: which has better ROI?
University of Maryland-College Park has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,712 in 1.8 years versus 3 years at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, on median earnings of $82,860 vs $69,960 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Maryland-College Park | University of Maryland-Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,678 | $16,467 |
| Total net cost | $62,712 | $65,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,860 | $69,960 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $627,288 | $366,132 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Maryland-College Park or University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
University of Maryland-College Park, at $15,678 a year after aid versus $16,467 — a gap of $789 a year, or $3,156 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 University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates earn more?
University of Maryland-College Park graduates report a median $82,860 ten years after entry, $12,900 more than the $69,960 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County. 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 University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
University of Maryland-College Park: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, a difference of $500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at University of Maryland-College Park, against 70% at University of Maryland-Baltimore County. 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.