Chemistry at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's chemistry program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: it beats the national median but falls short of what Maryland students can typically expect from in-state programs. With first-year earnings of $44,215, graduates earn slightly above the national average but roughly $4,000 less than the typical Maryland chemistry graduate—landing at just the 40th percentile statewide. Nearby Towson and Salisbury both produce chemistry grads earning $50,000+, suggesting Maryland families might find stronger options within the state system.

The financial picture offers one clear advantage: at $16,750, student debt runs well below both state and national norms. This keeps the debt burden manageable, with graduates needing less than five months of earnings to cover their loans. That's genuinely helpful for students planning graduate school (common for chemistry majors) or entering lower-paying research positions early in their careers.

The significant caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so a few outliers could skew the numbers considerably. If your student is serious about chemistry, compare this directly with Maryland-College Park and Towson—both have larger programs with more stable outcomes data. UMBC delivers reasonable value if the fit is right, but the earnings gap compared to peer Maryland programs is worth understanding before committing.