Students at Coppin State University benefit from exceptional affordability, with net prices among the lowest in the nation for families across all income levels.
The university's nursing programs demonstrate strong career outcomes, providing a clear pathway to stable, well-paying healthcare careers in the Baltimore region.
Coppin State University serves as an accessible public institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with a clear mission of supporting students from diverse economic backgrounds. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, and nearly 47% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's commitment to opening doors for underrepresented populations. While Coppin State faces challenges with overall completion rates and earnings outcomes that place it in the lower quartile nationally, it provides exceptional affordability with net prices as low as $4,635 for low-income families.
The university's strongest outcomes emerge in specific professional programs, particularly nursing, where graduates achieve median earnings of $73,231 ten years after enrollment. This represents a significant premium over the institution's overall median earnings of $46,490, demonstrating how program choice can dramatically impact long-term financial outcomes. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the highest-earning and highest-return program, combining strong enrollment with solid career prospects.
As a small public university in Maryland's higher education landscape, Coppin State occupies an important niche as an affordable option for students who might otherwise struggle to access four-year degree programs. The university's position as an "Under-Resourced Institution" in mobility terms reflects both its broad access mission and the ongoing challenges of supporting students through completion and into strong career outcomes.
Coppin State University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a professionally-oriented institution serving the Baltimore metropolitan area. The standout program is Adult Health Nursing, which graduates 66 students annually and delivers median earnings of $73,231, representing both the highest enrollment and strongest financial outcomes. This program demonstrates the university's ability to prepare students for in-demand healthcare careers with clear economic benefits.
Psychology represents the university's largest non-nursing program with 49 graduates, though earnings outcomes are more modest at around $33,993. Adult and Continuing Education rounds out the top programs, serving 26 graduates who earn approximately $35,864. These programs reflect Coppin State's focus on education and human services fields that serve community needs, even if they don't generate the highest salaries.
The concentration in nursing and education programs aligns with regional workforce needs and the university's historical mission of preparing professionals for public service careers. While earnings vary significantly across programs, the nursing pathway provides a clear route to middle-class financial security for graduates willing to pursue healthcare careers.
Graduates of Coppin State University see varied financial outcomes depending heavily on their field of study. The overall median earnings ten years after enrollment is $46,490, placing the institution in the lower quartile nationally for long-term earnings. However, this aggregate figure masks significant variation across programs, with nursing graduates earning $73,231 compared to psychology majors who earn around $33,993 in the same timeframe.
The university's strongest return on investment comes from its nursing programs, which combine substantial enrollment with well-above-average earnings for graduates. Adult Health Nursing represents the highest aggregate return program, graduating 66 students annually who go on to earn median salaries exceeding $73,000. This reflects the strong demand for healthcare professionals in the Baltimore metropolitan area and the practical, career-focused nature of Coppin State's professional programs.
While overall earnings performance lags behind many peer institutions, Coppin State does provide modest earnings beyond expectations, with graduates earning about $315 more than similar students at comparable institutions. The university's focus on professional preparation in fields like nursing, education, and psychology creates pathways to stable middle-class careers, even if the overall earnings profile remains below national averages for public four-year institutions.
Coppin State University stands out for exceptional affordability across all income levels, making it one of the most accessible public universities in Maryland. Low-income students pay just $4,635 annually in net price, well below national averages, while middle-income families face costs of $8,140 per year. Even high-income families pay only $15,238, representing strong value compared to most four-year public institutions. This pricing structure reflects substantial state support and institutional aid that helps keep education accessible.
The university's commitment to affordability extends to manageable debt levels for most graduates. Typical federal student loan debt is $25,000, which aligns with national patterns but represents a reasonable burden given the institution's low sticker prices. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $13,872, a modest level that reflects families' ability to cover much of their costs through grants and affordable net prices rather than extensive borrowing.
What makes Coppin State particularly sustainable financially is the combination of low upfront costs and zero default rates among recent cohorts. While earnings outcomes vary by program, the university's emphasis on keeping costs low means that even graduates entering lower-paying fields can typically manage their debt obligations without significant financial stress.
Coppin State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
