Median Earnings (1yr)
$38,293
5th percentile
10th percentile in Maryland
Median Debt
$31,000
24% above national median

Analysis

The small sample size here means these numbers could swing dramatically with just a few graduates, but the pattern they show is genuinely concerning: first-year earnings of $38,000 place this program in the bottom 10% both nationally and among Maryland's 18 computer science programs. Even after the impressive 85% growth to $71,000 by year four, that starting salary lags $25,000 behind the state median. For context, Morgan State—another Maryland HBCU—sees its computer science grads earning $67,000 right out of the gate.

The $31,000 debt load is higher than both state and national norms for CS programs, which amplifies the risk of that weak start. With 53% of students on Pell grants, many families here are making significant financial sacrifices. Computer science should be one of the safer bets in higher education—nationally, CS grads typically earn $61,000 in year one—but something about how this program connects students to the tech job market isn't working at scale.

If your child is set on UMES, the debt stays manageable and the four-year trajectory improves significantly. But for a field where employers are actively recruiting and starting salaries typically break $60,000, entering the workforce at $38,000 puts graduates at a real disadvantage in building early-career momentum and competing for advancement opportunities.

Where University of Maryland Eastern Shore Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Maryland Eastern Shore graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Maryland Eastern Shore$38,293$70,764+85%
Johns Hopkins University$109,514$140,666+28%
Salisbury University$59,653$98,491+65%
University of Maryland Global Campus$75,619$90,449+20%
Strayer University-Maryland$67,315$77,481+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in Maryland

Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Maryland (18 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne$8,898$38,293$70,764$31,0000.81
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore$63,340$109,514$140,666$12,7500.12
University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi$7,992$75,619$90,449$22,0000.29
St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's City$15,236$72,926$76,653$22,0000.30
Strayer University-MarylandSuitland$13,920$67,315$77,481$50,7370.75
Morgan State UniversityBaltimore$8,118$66,950$61,726
National Median$61,322$25,0000.41

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Network Architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Maryland Eastern Shore, approximately 53% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 33 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.