Head-to-head comparison
University of Maryland-College Park vs University of Maryland-Baltimore County: which has better ROI?
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
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
- Net price / year
- $16,467
- Earnings, 10 years
- $69,960
- Payback
- 3 yrs
University of Maryland-College Park has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,712 in 1.8 years versus 3 years at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, on median earnings of $82,860 vs $69,960 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Maryland-College Park | University of Maryland-Baltimore County |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,678 | $16,467 |
| Total net cost | $62,712 | $65,868 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $82,860 | $69,960 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $627,288 | $366,132 |
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 University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
University of Maryland-College Park, at $15,678 a year after aid versus $16,467 — a gap of $789 a year, or $3,156 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 University of Maryland-Baltimore County graduates earn more?
University of Maryland-College Park graduates report a median $82,860 ten years after entry, $12,900 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-College Park or University of Maryland-Baltimore County?
University of Maryland-College Park: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $19,500 at University of Maryland-Baltimore County, a difference of $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?
89% of students finish at University of Maryland-College Park, 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.