Students at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County achieve earnings that place the institution among the top performers nationally, particularly impressive for a public research university.
Graduates consistently reach strong financial outcomes, with low-income students seeing especially notable success in long-term career advancement.
Azimuth ranks the University of Maryland-Baltimore County 47th out of 406 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 12% for overall value. UMBC stands out for delivering exceptionally strong long-term earnings outcomes while maintaining reasonable affordability for most families. The university combines the research depth of a major public institution with focused academic programs that consistently lead to strong career outcomes, particularly in STEM fields.
What makes UMBC distinctive is its ability to produce graduates who earn well above the national average—with median 10-year earnings of $69,960—while keeping net prices manageable for low- and middle-income families. Nearly 30% of students receive Pell Grants, and about 27% are first-generation college students, yet graduation rates remain strong and earnings outcomes place the institution among the top performers nationally.
As a large public research university in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, UMBC offers students access to a robust job market while maintaining the focused academic environment that drives its strong outcomes. The combination of research opportunities, proximity to major employers, and consistent financial returns makes it an attractive option for students seeking both academic rigor and economic security.
The University of Maryland-Baltimore County's program portfolio reflects a clear strategic focus on fields that deliver strong career outcomes. Computer Science leads in aggregate return, graduating 249 students annually with median earnings around $70,009, while Computer Engineering produces the highest individual earnings at roughly $73,112. These technical programs connect directly to the robust job market in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, where demand for skilled technology professionals remains consistently strong.
Biology represents UMBC's largest program with 342 graduates, though early-career earnings around $25,194 reflect the field's typical trajectory toward graduate school and professional programs rather than immediate high-paying employment. This pattern is common among research universities where biology serves as preparation for medical school, graduate study, and research careers that develop earning potential over longer time horizons.
The concentration in STEM fields—particularly computer science, engineering, and biological sciences—helps explain UMBC's consistently strong earnings outcomes. These programs benefit from the university's research environment, faculty expertise, and connections to regional employers in technology, biotechnology, and government research. The combination of rigorous academic preparation and practical career focus creates pathways that continue delivering value throughout graduates' professional lives.
Graduates of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County achieve strong long-term financial outcomes, with median earnings of $69,960 ten years after enrollment. This performance places UMBC in the 85th percentile nationally for earnings, well above what most public universities deliver. The university's focus on STEM fields and professional programs creates pathways to careers that continue paying dividends throughout graduates' working lives.
Computer Science stands out as UMBC's highest aggregate-return program, graduating 249 students annually with median earnings around $70,009. Computer Engineering delivers even higher individual earnings at roughly $73,112, while Biology—the university's largest program with 342 graduates—shows more moderate early-career earnings around $25,194 but provides strong preparation for graduate school and professional programs. The concentration in technical fields helps explain UMBC's consistently strong earnings performance, as these programs connect directly to high-demand careers in the Baltimore-Washington region's technology and research sectors.
UMBC's program portfolio reflects a clear focus on fields that deliver measurable career outcomes. Engineering and computer science programs form the core of the university's highest-earning offerings, while biology and other sciences provide pathways to graduate study and professional careers. This strategic program mix, combined with the university's research environment and regional employer connections, helps explain why UMBC graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations in their post-graduation careers.
Affordability at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County varies significantly by family income but remains manageable for most students. Low-income families pay about $7,048 annually after aid, well below the national average and making UMBC accessible to Pell-eligible students. Middle-income families see net prices around $18,506 per year, roughly typical for public universities, while higher-income families pay about $27,013 annually—predictable costs that help with long-term financial planning.
Debt levels at UMBC are moderate and sustainable given graduates' strong earning potential. Typical federal student loan debt is about $19,500, manageable for graduates earning nearly $70,000 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $22,830, reflecting families' willingness to invest in UMBC's strong outcomes. With a 0% federal loan default rate, the university demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational debt.
What makes UMBC's affordability story particularly compelling is the relationship between costs and outcomes. While net prices aren't the lowest among public universities, the combination of reasonable debt levels and strong post-graduation earnings creates a sustainable financial equation. The university's loan repayment data shows borrowers making steady progress on their balances, with repayment rates well above national averages, indicating that UMBC's investment pays off for most families.
University Of Maryland-Baltimore County Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
