Accounting at University of Maryland-College Park

University of Maryland-College Park delivers exceptional accounting outcomes while keeping debt remarkably low—a combination that's rare even among elite programs. With first-year earnings of nearly $70,000 and just $15,000 in median debt, graduates face a debt burden they could theoretically pay off in three months. That 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning this program outperforms 95% of accounting programs on affordability. The $84,592 earnings by year four represent solid progression into mid-career roles.

The Maryland context adds an interesting wrinkle. While UMD ranks at the 60th percentile among state accounting programs—trailing private schools like Loyola and Stevenson in immediate earnings—it likely achieves this with significantly lower total cost of attendance, especially for in-state students. The gap between UMD's $69,821 and Loyola's $69,305 is negligible, but the tuition difference at a flagship state university versus a private institution is substantial. You're getting nearly identical outcomes at a fraction of the price.

For Maryland families, this is straightforward: UMD's accounting program offers top-tier national performance with minimal debt risk. The combination of strong earning potential, low borrowing, and the Robert H. Smith School's reputation in the Mid-Atlantic makes this one of the safest bets in business education.