Engineering at University of Maryland-College Park

Maryland Engineering programs cluster tightly around $64,000 in first-year earnings, and UMD-College Park appears to land right in that range based on comparable programs statewide. The estimated $25,832 in debt translates to a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans with less than five months of their first year's salary. That's a solid financial picture for an engineering degree, though it's worth noting that similar programs across Maryland vary by more than $10,000, with University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduates earning closer to $74,000.

The gap between Maryland programs and the national median of $67,911 suggests engineering graduates in this state may face a regional earnings ceiling, at least initially. However, UMD-College Park's selective admissions (45% acceptance rate, 1463 average SAT) and flagship status could translate to stronger long-term career trajectories than the state medians alone suggest. Engineering remains one of the most reliable returns on investment in higher education, and the debt load here—whether $23,750 or $26,000—won't derail that equation. For a family evaluating this program, the fundamentals point toward sound value, though you're banking on the university's broader reputation to potentially exceed what peer programs in Maryland typically deliver.