Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's IT management program graduates start near the bottom of the national pack at $46,286—landing in just the 5th percentile nationally and trailing the Maryland median by $10,000. This isn't just a modest gap; in a field where starting salaries typically exceed $58,000, these graduates are earning nearly 20% less than their peers at similar programs across the country. Even within Maryland's seven IT management programs, UMBC lands in the bottom quartile, with nearby competitors like University of Maryland Global Campus placing graduates at $73,797.

The moderate debt load of $20,500 provides some cushion—it's actually below the national median for this program—but it can't fully offset the earnings weakness. The program does show solid mid-term momentum, with earnings jumping 34% to reach $61,985 by year four, which closes much of the gap with state and national medians. However, that four-year trajectory still doesn't catch the immediate starting salaries at stronger Maryland programs.

For parents considering this investment, the central question is whether UMBC's lower admission selectivity and that eventual earnings recovery justify beginning your child's career at such a competitive disadvantage. If cost is the primary concern and your student needs a flexible path into tech, this might work. But if maximizing early earning potential matters—and in tech, those first years often set the trajectory for career advancement—look at the stronger Maryland alternatives first.