Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Maryland-College Park #71 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $84,365 four years after enrollment, placing University of Maryland-College Park in the 87.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Finance #26 nationally for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning median four-year earnings of $110,648 — a program-level anchor for the institution's strong overall earnings profile. Students at University of Maryland-College Park earn about $3,354 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 71.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Maryland-College Park #151 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting strong graduate earnings driven in large part by the university's dominant Computer Science and engineering programs.
Azimuth ranks University of Maryland-College Park #71 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in College Park, MD, University of Maryland-College Park enrolls roughly 30,760 undergraduates. Retention is 96.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 88.6%, placing the institution among the strongest nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Maryland-College Park performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Maryland-College Park #151 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $84,365, and earn about $3,354 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Maryland-College Park in the 71.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Computer Science is the dominant program family, and the concentration in computing and engineering fields helps explain the strong earnings profile that anchors the composite. The composite is balanced by access and affordability. University of Maryland-College Park admits about 44.8% of applicants, and 19.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants while 22.4% are first-generation college students. University of Maryland-College Park sits in the 86.2 percentile for access and the 71.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, while mobility sits in the 96.1 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for the students it enrolls even as the admissions posture limits the breadth of the entering class.
The University of Maryland-College Park prices meaningfully across income bands, with net cost varying substantially depending on family circumstances. Low-income families pay approximately $2,962 per year, middle-income families see annual costs around $10,273, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,691. Azimuth ranks University of Maryland-College Park #407 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The spread across income bands reflects the university's public-tuition structure and its participation in federal, state, and institutional need-based aid programs. 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. Maryland's aid mix draws on a combination of federal Pell Grants, state grants, and institutional scholarships, with need-based awards reducing the gap between the published cost of attendance of $29,299 and what most families actually pay. The net price illusion is real here: sticker price and net price can diverge considerably, particularly for lower- and middle-income families who qualify for the largest grant packages. Families applying for aid use the FAFSA, and Maryland participates in state grant programs that can further reduce out-of-pocket costs for Maryland residents. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,200; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $84,365, median federal debt of $19,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $215 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Maryland-College Park is a strong fit for students drawn to Computer Science, engineering, and business who want a large public research university in MD with a track record of placing graduates into high-mobility careers in technology, consulting, and finance. Graduates earn median $84,365 four years after enrollment, placing University of Maryland-College Park in the 87.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $3,354 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 71.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access profile is broad: 19.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 22.4% are first-generation students, with a 73.0% Pell completion rate that signals the institution supports students from a range of economic backgrounds through to graduation. Low-income graduates sit in the 92.7 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, reinforcing the case for Pell-eligible and first-generation applicants. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the university admits about 44.8% of applicants, so the application process is competitive, and the program portfolio is concentrated in Computer Science and adjacent STEM and business fields — students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes and the clearest path to the earnings advantage the data reflects.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Maryland-College Park hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Maryland-College Park prices meaningfully across income bands, with net cost varying substantially depending on family circumstances. Low-income families pay approximately $2,962 per year, middle-income families see annual costs around $10,273, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,691.
Azimuth ranks University of Maryland-College Park #407 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The spread across income bands reflects the university's public-tuition structure and its participation in federal, state, and institutional need-based aid programs.
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. Maryland's aid mix draws on a combination of federal Pell Grants, state grants, and institutional scholarships, with need-based awards reducing the gap between the published cost of attendance of $29,299 and what most families actually pay.
The [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) is real here: sticker price and net price can diverge considerably, particularly for lower- and middle-income families who qualify for the largest grant packages. Families applying for aid use the FAFSA, and Maryland participates in state grant programs that can further reduce out-of-pocket costs for Maryland residents.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $35,200; 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 $84,365, median federal debt of $19,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $215 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 University of Maryland-College Park earn median earnings of $84,365 four years after enrollment, placing University of Maryland-College Park in the 87.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $3,354 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Maryland-College Park in the 71.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Maryland-College Park #151 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects University of Maryland-College Park's strength in quantitative and applied fields. Computer Science is the dominant program family, representing 14% of degree output, with Business at 13% and Engineering at 12%.
Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong pay, making it a key contributor to the university's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #28 among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 954 graduates earning median earnings of $137,931 four years after enrollment.
The Information Science/Studies program graduates 623 students with median earnings of $109,092, and Azimuth ranks it #4 among nonprofit four-year institutions. Biology, General ranks #51 among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 554 graduates earning median earnings of $64,867 — while Public Health and Psychology, General round out the top programs with median earnings of $72,328 and $57,575 respectively.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Catholic University Of America Higher acceptance rate (39 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 5 miles away; similar graduate earnings | DC | 84% | $73,250 | Compare |
Loyola University Maryland Higher acceptance rate (31.5 percentage points higher) and located 30 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 76% | $82,652 | Compare |
Capitol Technology University Higher acceptance rate (33.1 percentage points higher) and located 6 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MD | 78% | $85,035 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Higher acceptance rate (36.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | VA | 82% | $77,369 | Compare |
Wentworth Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (40.5 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MA | 85% | $82,721 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Arizona Similar quality tier (#4175 ranked) | AZ | 86% | $59,979 | #4175 | Compare |
Cuny New York City College Of Technology Similar quality tier (#4174 ranked) | NY | 80% | $49,365 | #4174 | Compare |
Cuny Queens College Similar quality tier (#4177 ranked) | NY | 64% | $62,763 | #4177 | Compare |
University Of South Florida Similar quality tier in Southeast (#4170 ranked) | FL | 43% | $57,743 | #4170 | Compare |
University Of California-Santa Barbara Similar quality tier (#4169 ranked) | CA | 33% | $74,915 | #4169 | Compare |
Computer Engineering
117 graduates
Computer Science
954 graduates
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
131 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
376 graduates
Information Science/Studies
623 graduates
University of Maryland-College Park's program mix is anchored in Computer Science, with strong representation across engineering, business, and quantitative fields. Social Sciences accounts for 14% of graduates, Business represents 13%, and Engineering makes up 12% — a distribution that reflects the university's research-flagship identity and its proximity to the Washington, D.C., labor market.
Across 69 programs serving roughly 9,168 students annually, 52 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong earnings, making it a central driver of the institution's overall financial outcomes.
Computer Science is the largest program with 954 graduates earning median earnings of $137,931 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #28 among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Information Science/Studies program graduates 623 students with median earnings of $109,092, and the The Biology, General program graduates 554 students with median earnings of $64,867.
Finance follows with median earnings of $110,648 from 376 graduates, ranked #26 among nonprofit four-year institutions. Computer science and engineering programs at University of Maryland-College Park are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the national labor market directly — particularly in the technology, defense, and consulting sectors concentrated in the D.C.–Baltimore corridor.
Programs like Public Health and Psychology, General, with 458 and 408 graduates respectively, feed a broader set of career outcomes across government, policy, and applied research. The supply-demand map provides context for how these program families align with national labor-market demand.
