Information Science/Studies at University of Maryland-Baltimore County

UMBC's Information Science certificate punches well above the typical certificate program's weight class. While graduates carry above-average debt at $22,518—about $8,000 more than the national norm for this credential—they're earning $60,020 within a year of completion, landing them in the 95th percentile nationally. More impressively, four years out, that figure jumps 50% to over $90,000, suggesting graduates are entering career tracks with real advancement potential rather than hitting the ceiling typical of many certificate programs.

The debt burden, though higher than average, translates to a remarkably healthy 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe less than five months' salary. Given that Maryland's tech corridor offers strong employment opportunities in data analytics, information systems, and related fields, this appears to be strategic debt for market entry. The 60th percentile ranking among Maryland programs is less impressive than the national standing, but with only five comparable programs in-state, these percentiles shouldn't carry much weight.

For families evaluating whether a certificate is worth taking on debt, this program makes a compelling case. The combination of immediate earning power, strong growth trajectory, and manageable debt load positions graduates competitively in Maryland's information economy. The moderate sample size means outcomes are reasonably reliable, though not ironclad.