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University of Maryland Global Campus vs St. Mary's College of Maryland: which has better ROI?

Public, Adelphi MD · vs · Public, St. Mary's City MD

The verdict

University of Maryland Global Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $88,252 in 5.2 years versus 6.3 years at St. Mary's College of Maryland, on median earnings of $65,287 vs $60,110 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Maryland Global CampusSt. Mary's College of Maryland
Net price / yr$22,063$18,441
Total net cost$88,252$73,764
Median earnings, 10 yrs$65,287$60,110
Median debt$21,000$21,000
Payback5.2 yrs6.3 yrs
20-year net return$250,288$161,236

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

Which is cheaper, University of Maryland Global Campus or St. Mary's College of Maryland?

St. Mary's College of Maryland, at $18,441 a year after aid versus $22,063 — a gap of $3,622 a year, or $14,488 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 Global Campus or St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates earn more?

University of Maryland Global Campus graduates report a median $65,287 ten years after entry, $5,177 more than the $60,110 at St. Mary's College of Maryland. 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 Global Campus or St. Mary's College of Maryland?

Completers at both borrow a median $21,000, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at St. Mary's College of Maryland, against 33% at University of Maryland Global Campus. 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 Global Campus vs St. Mary's College of Maryland: frequently asked questions

Is University of Maryland Global Campus or St. Mary's College of Maryland a better value?
University of Maryland Global Campus. It clears its $88,252 net cost in about 5.2 years versus 6.3 years at St. Mary's College of Maryland, on median earnings of $65,287 vs $60,110 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Maryland Global Campus or St. Mary's College of Maryland?
St. Mary's College of Maryland: $18,441/yr net price after aid versus $22,063/yr at University of Maryland Global Campus — a difference of $3,622 a year, or about $14,488 over four years.
Do University of Maryland Global Campus or St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates earn more?
University of Maryland Global Campus graduates earn a median $65,287 ten years after entry, versus $60,110 at St. Mary's College of Maryland — a $5,177 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.