Civil Engineering at Morgan State University

Morgan State's civil engineering graduates start strong at $70,667—beating the national median and keeping debt manageable at $26,500. However, the 40th percentile ranking among Maryland's civil engineering programs tells a more nuanced story: with only three schools offering this degree in the state, Morgan State trails both UMD-College Park ($76,731) and the state median by roughly $5,000. More concerning is the slight earnings decline to $68,737 by year four, suggesting graduates may face a different trajectory than peers at competing Maryland programs.

The debt picture provides some reassurance. At 0.37 times first-year earnings, graduates carry about 8% less debt than typical civil engineering students nationally, and the low debt burden means even with modest earnings growth, the financial fundamentals remain sound. For families where Morgan State's 83% admission rate and robust Pell Grant access (54% of students) matter—perhaps because it's the most accessible civil engineering option in Maryland—this represents a viable path into a profession with solid starting salaries.

The tradeoff is clear: Morgan State delivers civil engineering credentials with manageable debt and above-average starting pay, but families should expect earnings that plateau rather than grow substantially. If your student can access UMD-College Park or needs maximum earnings potential, that matters. If Morgan State's accessibility opens doors that wouldn't otherwise exist, this program delivers genuine value despite ranking in the middle of Maryland's limited options.