Information Science/Studies at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's Information Science program delivers something rare: both manageable debt and impressive earnings momentum. Starting at $63,334 beats the national median by nearly $5,000, but the real story is what happens next—graduates see their pay jump 31% to $82,936 by year four. That trajectory suggests these students are gaining valuable technical skills that employers increasingly reward.

The debt picture is equally compelling. At $20,633, graduates owe about $5,000 less than the typical Maryland IS graduate and significantly less than the national median. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 means most graduates can handle their payments without lifestyle sacrifices. Among Maryland's 15 Information Science programs, UMBC sits comfortably in the 60th percentile for earnings—trailing only UMD College Park among traditional four-year universities, while avoiding the debt loads often seen at competitors.

One caveat: this is an accessible program at a school with a 74% admission rate, not an elite filter. But for families weighing cost versus outcome, UMBC offers a practical path into tech-adjacent careers without the debt burden that can derail young professionals. The strong earnings growth suggests graduates are building marketable expertise that compounds over time—exactly what you want from a technical degree.