Housing and Human Environments at University of Maryland-College Park

UMD's Housing and Human Environments program produces estimated first-year earnings around $38,600—a figure derived from national medians across similar bachelor's programs, since the school's graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to publish specific outcomes. That's a modest starting point for graduates from a flagship university where incoming students average SAT scores near 1460. The estimated debt load of roughly $25,700 creates a manageable 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, but this represents a slow financial start rather than the trajectory many families expect from a competitive state flagship.

What makes this program challenging to evaluate is how rare it is—only 24 schools nationwide offer this specific degree, and UMD is the only one in Maryland. Similar programs nationally cluster around these same earnings and debt figures, suggesting limited geographic variation in outcomes. For a field focused on housing policy, interior environments, and consumer sciences, that $38,600 starting salary may reflect entry-level positions in nonprofit housing organizations, government agencies, or retail management rather than immediate access to higher-paying corporate roles. The debt is serviceable but doesn't leave much cushion in expensive Mid-Atlantic metros.

The takeaway: This program offers specialized training in an unusual field, but peer programs suggest graduates start at income levels that require careful budgeting. If your student is passionate about housing equity or environmental design, understand you're investing in mission-driven work that typically doesn't command premium starting salaries, even from a respected institution like UMD.