Computer Science at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's computer science program punches well above its weight, delivering earnings that outpace 78% of CS programs nationwide while keeping debt substantially lower than average. Starting at $84,000 and climbing to $95,000 by year four, graduates earn more than the typical computer science major from their first paycheck—and they're doing it with just $20,000 in debt, about $3,400 less than the national median for this degree.

Within Maryland, UMBC holds its own at the 60th percentile, trailing only UMD-College Park among major state schools. That $16,000 gap with College Park matters less than it might seem: UMBC's 74% acceptance rate makes it accessible to a broader range of students, and its debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 means graduates can pay off their loans with roughly three months of their starting salary. The 14% earnings growth over four years suggests solid career progression rather than immediate plateauing.

For families weighing Maryland options, this represents one of the state's strongest values in tech education—combining strong earning potential with manageable debt at a school that won't require Ivy-level credentials for admission. Unless your child can secure admission to College Park, UMBC offers the clearest path to a six-figure tech salary within a few years of graduation.