Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

UMES produces criminal justice graduates whose earnings lag behind the state median by about $4,000 annually—ranking in just the 40th percentile among Maryland's 12 programs in this field. While the $37,393 starting salary roughly matches the national average, it falls short when compared to stronger Maryland options like University of Baltimore ($48,991) or even Bowie State ($41,367). For families paying in-state tuition, this performance gap matters: Maryland offers multiple public universities where graduates earn 15-25% more in similar roles.

The debt load of $28,027 is reasonable relative to earnings (0.75 debt-to-income ratio), and graduates do see steady income growth to $42,929 by year four. However, that four-year mark still trails most Maryland competitors. The university's 90% admission rate and high Pell Grant enrollment (53%) indicate its role serving students who might face barriers elsewhere, which adds important context to these outcomes.

For Maryland families with multiple public university options, this represents a middle-tier choice in a state with stronger criminal justice programs. If UMES offers specific advantages—location, smaller class sizes, or admission certainty—the modest debt keeps it workable. But purely on earnings trajectory, other Maryland public schools deliver better returns in this field.