Head-to-head comparison
University of Maryland-Baltimore County vs Johns Hopkins University: which has better ROI?
Option A Baltimore, MD
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
- Net price / year
- $16,467
- Earnings, 10 years
- $69,960
- Payback
- 3 yrs
Option B Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University
- Net price / year
- $18,809
- Earnings, 10 years
- $87,555
- Payback
- 1.9 yrs
Johns Hopkins University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,236 in 1.9 years versus 3 years at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, on median earnings of $87,555 vs $69,960 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | Johns Hopkins University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,467 | $18,809 |
| Total net cost | $65,868 | $75,236 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,960 | $87,555 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $10,250 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 1.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $366,132 | $708,664 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Maryland-Baltimore County or Johns Hopkins University?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County, at $16,467 a year after aid versus $18,809 — a gap of $2,342 a year, or $9,368 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Maryland-Baltimore County or Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more?
Johns Hopkins University graduates report a median $87,555 ten years after entry, $17,595 more than the $69,960 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Maryland-Baltimore County or Johns Hopkins University?
Johns Hopkins University: its completers carry a median $10,250 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, a difference of $9,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
94% of students finish at Johns Hopkins University, against 70% at University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.