Morgan State University excels at making higher education accessible and affordable, with particularly strong support for low-income and first-generation students who represent the majority of the student body.
The university's zero percent default rate demonstrates that graduates successfully manage their financial obligations, even with modest overall earnings outcomes.
Morgan State University ranks among public four-year institutions with a focus on access and affordability rather than earnings outcomes. As a historically black public university in Baltimore, Morgan State serves a diverse student body where 54% receive Pell Grants and 33% are first-generation college students. The university's mission centers on providing educational opportunities to students who might not otherwise have access to higher education.
While Morgan State's overall earnings outcomes place it in the lower tier nationally, with graduates earning a median of $50,698 ten years after enrollment, the institution excels in specific areas. Engineering programs deliver strong financial returns, with Civil Engineering and Industrial Engineering graduates earning well above the institutional average. The university's affordability profile is notably strong, with low-income students paying just $10,666 annually and middle-income families facing costs around $16,670.
Morgan State operates as what researchers classify as an "Under-Resourced Institution" — a school that provides broad access to higher education but faces challenges in delivering consistently strong earnings outcomes across all programs. For students who choose strategically, particularly those pursuing engineering or business, the university can provide excellent value and meaningful career preparation in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
Morgan State University's program portfolio reflects its mission as a comprehensive public university, but outcomes vary dramatically by field of study. Engineering programs stand out as the institution's strongest financial performers, with Industrial Engineering leading at $69,338 median earnings for just 30 graduates annually, and Civil Engineering providing both scale and strong returns with 97 graduates earning $61,218.
Business Administration represents the university's largest program with 87 graduates, though earnings outcomes are more modest at $41,937. This reflects the program's broad accessibility and the diverse career paths business majors pursue. Biology, with 61 graduates earning $27,500, represents the challenges facing students in life sciences fields, where many graduates pursue additional education or enter lower-paying but socially important careers.
The concentration in engineering and business programs, combined with the university's location in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, provides students with access to strong regional employers and internship opportunities. For students who choose strategically, particularly those drawn to technical fields, Morgan State can deliver solid career preparation and meaningful economic returns despite the institution's overall modest earnings profile.
Morgan State University graduates earn a median of $50,698 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes. However, this overall figure masks significant variation by field of study, with engineering programs delivering substantially stronger financial returns than the institutional average.
The university's standout program is Industrial Engineering, where the 30 annual graduates earn a median of $69,338 ten years out, representing some of the strongest outcomes at the institution. Civil Engineering also performs well, with 97 graduates annually earning around $61,218, making it both a high-return and high-enrollment program. Business Administration, the university's largest program with 87 graduates, produces more modest earnings of $41,937, while Biology graduates face more challenging financial outcomes at $27,500 median earnings.
Morgan State's engineering concentration drives much of its economic value, though the overall earnings profile reflects the university's broad mission of serving students across many fields. The institution's focus on access means it enrolls students who might not otherwise attend college, and while not all programs deliver strong financial returns, strategic program choice can lead to solid career outcomes, particularly in technical fields where employer demand remains strong in the Baltimore-Washington region.
Morgan State University delivers strong affordability outcomes across income levels, making higher education accessible to families with limited financial resources. Low-income students pay approximately $10,666 annually, well below national averages for public universities, while middle-income families face costs around $16,670 per year. Even higher-income families encounter reasonable net prices of about $16,768, reflecting the university's commitment to broad accessibility.
Debt levels at Morgan State are moderate and manageable for most graduates. Typical students leave with about $27,250 in federal loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $19,127. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully despite the institution's modest earnings outcomes. This combination of low default rates and reasonable debt levels suggests that most students can handle their financial obligations, particularly those who choose higher-earning programs like engineering or business.
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