Head-to-head comparison
University of Maryland-Baltimore County vs Loyola University Maryland: 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
Loyola University Maryland
- Net price / year
- $30,574
- Earnings, 10 years
- $82,652
- Payback
- 3.6 yrs
University of Maryland-Baltimore County has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $65,868 in 3 years versus 3.6 years at Loyola University Maryland, on median earnings of $69,960 vs $82,652 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Maryland-Baltimore County | Loyola University Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,467 | $30,574 |
| Total net cost | $65,868 | $122,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $69,960 | $82,652 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $366,132 | $563,544 |
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 Loyola University Maryland?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County, at $16,467 a year after aid versus $30,574 — a gap of $14,107 a year, or $56,428 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 Loyola University Maryland graduates earn more?
Loyola University Maryland graduates report a median $82,652 ten years after entry, $12,692 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 Loyola University Maryland?
University of Maryland-Baltimore County: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Loyola University Maryland, a difference of $7,500. 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?
79% of students finish at Loyola University Maryland, 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.