Hospitality Administration/Management at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

University of Maryland Eastern Shore's hospitality program lands squarely in the middle of Maryland's options—40th percentile statewide—which tells you something important: this isn't about Maryland being a weak hospitality market (state median is $36,658), but rather about UMES performing just below that mark at $36,472. Meanwhile, the program does better nationally, ranking at the 63rd percentile, largely because hospitality programs in many states start graduates at lower salaries. The $26,000 debt load is actually below both state and national averages, giving graduates a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The steady 14% earnings growth to $41,413 by year four suggests graduates find their footing in the industry, though hospitality careers often follow different trajectories than desk jobs. With 53% of students on Pell grants, UMES serves many first-generation college students who need affordable paths into stable careers. The moderate sample size means these numbers represent a meaningful cohort, not an outlier year.

For Maryland families, this program offers reasonable entry into hospitality management without crushing debt. Morgan State delivers slightly higher starting salaries ($36,845) but likely with comparable costs. If your child is passionate about hospitality and values the UMES environment, the financial picture won't derail them—just understand they're choosing a field where $40,000 at year four is solid, not spectacular.