Computer Engineering at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's Computer Engineering program delivers strong absolute outcomes—$86,444 starting salary and manageable $19,988 debt—but sits in an interesting middle ground within Maryland's competitive landscape. While it ranks in the 81st percentile nationally, it falls to the 40th percentile among Maryland programs, where College Park sets a high bar at nearly $96,000 starting. Still, that $10,000 gap matters less than you might think when you're starting at well over $85,000 with a debt load you could realistically clear in a year of disciplined saving.

The 15% earnings jump to $99,299 by year four suggests solid career trajectory, and the 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptional—you'd need to borrow three times this amount before financial stress becomes a real concern. The 74% admission rate and solid SAT scores indicate this isn't an impossibly selective program, yet graduates are still clearing six figures within four years of finishing school.

For families weighing prestige against value, UMBC offers a compelling alternative: you're getting national-caliber computer engineering outcomes at a price point that won't burden your finances, even if it's not quite the state's flagship program. The nearly $100,000 median by year four should quiet concerns about whether this degree can launch a lucrative tech career.