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Head-to-head comparison

University of Maryland-College Park vs Johns Hopkins University: which has better ROI?

Public, College Park MD · vs · Private nonprofit, Baltimore MD

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A College Park, MD

University of Maryland-College Park

Net price / year
$15,678
Earnings, 10 years
$82,860
Payback
1.8 yrs

Option B Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University

Net price / year
$18,809
Earnings, 10 years
$87,555
Payback
1.9 yrs
The verdict

University of Maryland-College Park has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,712 in 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Johns Hopkins University, on median earnings of $82,860 vs $87,555 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Maryland-College ParkJohns Hopkins University
Net price / yr$15,678$18,809
Total net cost$62,712$75,236
Median earnings, 10 yrs$82,860$87,555
Median debt$19,000$10,250
Payback1.8 yrs1.9 yrs
20-year net return$627,288$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-College Park or Johns Hopkins University?

University of Maryland-College Park, at $15,678 a year after aid versus $18,809 — a gap of $3,131 a year, or $12,524 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-College Park or Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more?

Johns Hopkins University graduates report a median $87,555 ten years after entry, $4,695 more than the $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park. 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-College Park or Johns Hopkins University?

Johns Hopkins University: its completers carry a median $10,250 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University of Maryland-College Park, a difference of $8,750. 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 89% at University of Maryland-College Park. 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.

University of Maryland-College Park vs Johns Hopkins University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University a better value?
University of Maryland-College Park. It clears its $62,712 net cost in about 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Johns Hopkins University, on median earnings of $82,860 vs $87,555 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University?
University of Maryland-College Park: $15,678/yr net price after aid versus $18,809/yr at Johns Hopkins University — a difference of $3,131 a year, or about $12,524 over four years.
Do University of Maryland-College Park or Johns Hopkins University graduates earn more?
Johns Hopkins University graduates earn a median $87,555 ten years after entry, versus $82,860 at University of Maryland-College Park — a $4,695 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.