Morgan State University
#7 Best HBCUs for Engineering- Graduation Rate
- 41% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,698 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,985 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.9 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best HBCUs for Engineering.
Every $1 spent returns $22.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,315,310.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 24% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 41% — 28% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Morgan State University Matters
Morgan State University is a public research university in Baltimore, MD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 9,019
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Humanities, Engineering
Why students choose Morgan State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 840–1070. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,985 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,698 ten years after enrolling — 24% above the typical college, against $27,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.42 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Morgan State University is a great fit for students looking for a welcoming environment with a diverse range of studies. With an acceptance rate of 82%, it's accessible to many who are eager to pursue fields like Business & Marketing, Engineering, and Psychology. The student body of nearly 9,000 offers a community where individuals can engage with peers and faculty, making it a solid choice for those who want to grow both academically and personally.
When it comes to life after graduation, graduates from Morgan State earn an average of $50,698 within ten years. This figure highlights the potential for upward mobility, especially for those who come from lower-income backgrounds. With a significant 57% of students receiving Pell Grants, affordability is a key consideration, and many find that they can succeed financially after completing their degrees.
Looking at the practical aspects, the net price after aid stands at about $14,985, which can make it manageable for many families. However, the median debt of $27,250 is something to keep in mind. Those who thrive here tend to be motivated, community-oriented individuals who appreciate the university’s commitment to inclusivity and support, making it a nurturing place to pursue higher education.
Rankings
- #7 Best HBCUs for Engineering
- #7 Best HBCUs for Mechanical Engineering
- #7 Best HBCUs for Electrical Engineering
- #7 Best HBCUs for Civil Engineering
- #9 Best Engineering Colleges in Maryland
- #11 Best Communications Colleges in Maryland
- #18 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland
- #18 Best Psychology Colleges in Maryland
Can I Get In?
How selective Morgan State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Morgan State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Baltimore, Maryland, Morgan State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 971. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- SAT Average
- 971
- ACT Midpoint
- 18
- SAT Range
- 840–1070
- ACT Range
- 16–21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,634
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.41
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 16,845
- Admitted
- 14,382
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Morgan State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Morgan State University is $19,124, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,985. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,585 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,229
- Out-of-State
- $19,124
- Avg Net Price
- $14,985
- Median Debt
- $27,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 57%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 65%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,585
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,420
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,147
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,323
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Morgan State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Morgan State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Morgan State University earn a median of $50,698, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,065
- 8 Years
- $46,142
- 10 Years
- $50,698
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (209)
- 20%
- 100% (209)
- 20%
- 100% (209)
- 20%
- 100% (209)
- 20%
How Morgan Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Morgan State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Morgan State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,985/year ($59,940 total). Graduates earn $50,698 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,375,250 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,315,310 (22.9× your investment). The median debt is $27,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 41% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,940
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,375,250
- Net Return
- $1,315,310
- ROI Multiple
- 22.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,985
- Median Debt
- $27,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $700,221
Top Programs
The fields Morgan State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $74,862 early-career
- Psychology 10% $37,078 early-career
- Humanities 9% $36,562 early-career
- Engineering 8% $82,387 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $68,105 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $32,675 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $41,658 early-career
- Communications 5% $41,658 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Morgan State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Morgan State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Baltimore, Maryland, Morgan State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 971. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Morgan State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Morgan State University is $19,124, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,985. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,585 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,250 in federal student loans.
Is Morgan State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Morgan State University earn a median of $50,698, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Morgan State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Morgan State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.42, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Morgan State University.
- Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · Close peer46% grad $51,793 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO · Close peer41% grad $45,823 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland, OH · Close peer50% grad $52,131 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX · Close peer37% grad $51,865 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Morgan State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Morgan State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.42, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note