Analysis
Johns Hopkins carries a prestigious name, but the engineering outcomes here rely entirely on estimates—federal data for this specific program was suppressed due to small sample sizes. Based on comparable engineering programs in Maryland, first-year earnings around $64,000 appear respectable but not exceptional, sitting right at the state median and actually trailing the national benchmark by nearly $4,000. That's surprising for an institution with an 8% admission rate and 1550+ average SAT scores.
The estimated debt load of $26,500 tracks closely with both state and national norms for engineering degrees, yielding a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio. What's worth noting is that University of Maryland Eastern Shore—a far less selective school—reports actual graduates earning $73,800, nearly $10,000 more than these peer-based estimates suggest for Hopkins engineers. That gap raises questions about whether Hopkins' engineering graduates are pursuing graduate school, specialized lower-paying fields like biomedical engineering, or simply being underrepresented in the available data.
The bottom line: you're paying elite tuition prices based on institutional reputation, but the limited data makes it impossible to verify whether Hopkins engineering delivers returns proportional to its selectivity. If your child is set on this program, dig deeper into specific engineering concentrations and career services outcomes before committing, especially since less prestigious Maryland programs show stronger initial earnings in the available data.
Where Johns Hopkins University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland
Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $63,340 | $64,116* | — | $26,459* | — | |
| $8,898 | $73,839* | — | $18,166* | 0.25 | |
| $55,480 | $64,116* | $80,796 | $27,000* | 0.42 | |
| $9,998 | $62,968* | — | $23,750* | 0.38 | |
| National Median | — | $67,911* | — | $26,056* | 0.38 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
Nanosystems Engineers
Wind Energy Engineers
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Johns Hopkins University, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in MD. Actual outcomes may vary.