Computer and Information Sciences at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

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.