Frostburg State University

Frostburg State University's published cost of attendance is $27,056. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $12,129, middle-income families pay around $15,709, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,297.

Azimuth ranks Frostburg State University #432 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.

Frostburg State's affordability position reflects its public-institution tuition structure and need-based aid reach. The relatively modest gap between sticker price and net price across income bands means that financial aid, while present, does not dramatically reshape the cost picture for most families.

Families applying for aid use the FAFSA, and Frostburg State participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,105, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $21,004; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.

For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,511, median federal debt of $21,105 projects to a monthly payment of about $238 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).

Graduates of Frostburg State University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,511, placing Frostburg State University in the 38.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Frostburg State University sits in the 37.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Azimuth ranks Frostburg State University #974 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the institution's strong positioning in health-related fields, where demand remains steady and early-career earnings tend to be competitive.

The earnings pattern is anchored in Health programs, which represent the institution's largest concentration. Nursing is the largest program with 139 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $86,331, at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field.

The Psychology, General program graduates 93 students with median 4-year earnings of $50,210, performing at 1.0x the benchmark. Economics and Business Administration round out the top programs, with Business Administration graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $61,002 at 0.9x benchmark.

This concentration in health and related professions creates a coherent earnings profile where most graduates move into stable, in-demand roles with predictable career trajectories and modest but consistent salary growth over the early career years.

Frostburg State University's program mix is anchored in health professions and applied sciences, reflecting the institution's regional mission as a public comprehensive university. Nursing is the largest program with 139 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Economics, Business Administration, and Teacher Education.

The health-sciences concentration—including nursing, allied health, and related clinical fields—accounts for a substantial share of the institution's degree output and aligns with strong regional employer demand in healthcare and social services. Nursing leads the earnings profile, with 139 graduates earning median earnings of $86,331 four years after enrollment.

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management graduates earn $85,521, and Health/Medical Preparatory Programs graduates earn $62,767. These outcomes reflect the institution's strength in applied health and professional fields where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles with predictable career pathways and steady wage growth.

Several of these programs are direct-to-workforce pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes—particularly nursing and allied health professions, where graduates move into healthcare settings and earn competitive salaries relative to educational investment. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Frostburg State University's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand, especially in healthcare and human services sectors where the institution's graduates concentrate.