Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland
- 31
- Schools
- $56,505
- Avg. Earnings
- 49%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,161
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,721
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 31 schools run from $35,823 to $87,555, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Carroll Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $44,349 in median earnings against $2,725 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Carroll Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,725 a year in net price.
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Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of its students, versus a 49% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Johns Hopkins University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.12× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Carroll Community College costs $2,725 a year and Loyola University Maryland costs $30,574. Yet their graduates earn $44,349 and $82,652, nowhere near the $27,849 price gap.
- On value, Carroll Community College beats Johns Hopkins University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Johns Hopkins University finishes 94% of students while Community College of Baltimore County finishes 17%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Carroll Community College and Johns Hopkins University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $55K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Johns Hopkins University #1 overall | $87,555 ▲ +55% vs avg | $18,809 | 94% | 88 |
| 2 University of Maryland-College Park #2 overall | $82,860 ▲ +47% vs avg | $15,678 | 89% | 81 |
| 3 University of Maryland-Baltimore County #3 overall | $69,960 ▲ +24% vs avg | $16,467 | 70% | 80 |
| $85,035 ▲ +50% vs avg | $22,102 | 44% | 76 | |
| $50,159 ▼ -11% vs avg | $8,027 | 30% | 75 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland
This analysis ranks 31 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $56,505 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 49% and an average net price of $15,161.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Carroll Community College — Net Price: $2,725 | Graduation Rate: 43%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Johns Hopkins University — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Johns Hopkins University — Median alumni earnings: $87,555
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$53,780
Median earnings (10yr)
43%
Median graduation rate
$15,332
Median net price
1.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
The median graduation rate across these 31 schools is 43%. Median graduate earnings reach $53,780 ten years after enrollment, roughly $5,780 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $15,332 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $19,500. Some 30% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.9%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $53,780 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Johns Hopkins University lands at #1 with a 88/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
College Park, MD · 45% accepted · $15,678 net
Why it ranks #2
University of Maryland-College Park lands at #2 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $82,860 a decade after enrolling, 47% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,678 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Baltimore, MD · 72% accepted · $16,467 net
Why it ranks #3
University of Maryland-Baltimore County lands at #3 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (66/100). Graduates earn a median $69,960 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,467 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Capitol Technology University lands at #4 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $85,035 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,102 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Montgomery College lands at #5 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,159 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,027 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Harford Community College lands at #6 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,608 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,234 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Loyola University Maryland lands at #7 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $82,652 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Mount St. Mary's University lands at #8 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $64,072 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,655 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Prince George's Community College lands at #9 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $47,548 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Anne Arundel Community College lands at #10 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,219 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,915 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Carroll Community College lands at #11 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,349 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,725 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Towson University lands at #12 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $64,390 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,413 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Frederick Community College lands at #13 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $46,449 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,465 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Hagerstown Community College lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,615 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,835 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Goucher College lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $53,023 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,470 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Cecil College lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,952 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,658 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Howard Community College lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $49,020 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,133 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Stevenson University lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $62,079 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,505 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Garrett College lands at #19 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $35,823 a decade after enrolling, 37% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,228 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Hood College lands at #20 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,089 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,873 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
St. Mary's College of Maryland lands at #21 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (62/100). Graduates earn a median $60,110 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,441 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Community College of Baltimore County lands at #22 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $43,729 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,844 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
University of Maryland Global Campus lands at #23 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $65,287 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,063 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Salisbury University lands at #24 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,515 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,743 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Frostburg State University lands at #25 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $55,493 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,715 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Bowie State University lands at #26 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,537 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,298 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
University of Baltimore lands at #27 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,335 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,868 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Morgan State University lands at #28 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,698 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,985 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Princess Anne, MD · 96% accepted · $13,338 net
Why it ranks #29
University of Maryland Eastern Shore lands at #29 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $47,697 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
United States Naval Academy lands at #30 with a 54/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by social mobility (67/100). Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Chesapeake College lands at #31 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $36,301 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,106 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 30 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →In Maryland, prospective students exploring computer science programs have a range of options, each with unique strengths. With an average earning potential of $56,125 for graduates, these schools offer varying degrees of financial investment and outcomes that families should consider.
The schools on this list stand out based on key metrics like earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels. For instance, the top programs not only prepare students for lucrative careers but also ensure a higher likelihood of graduating without overwhelming debt. As you review the rankings below, pay attention to these outcomes to gauge which institution aligns best with your goals.
Take Johns Hopkins University and Towson University, for example. Johns Hopkins graduates earn an impressive $87,555 on average, while Towson graduates earn significantly less at $64,390. Yet, Towson has a lower net price of $17,413 compared to Johns Hopkins' $18,809, highlighting a tradeoff between potential earnings and affordability. Understanding these contrasts will help you make an informed decision.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 18 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.9%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Mount St. Mary's University leads the group at 6.4%, with Montgomery College (3%) and Hood College (2.8%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 9% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Mount St. Mary's University enrolls the most, at 21.2%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 23.6% across the list, peaking at 58.6% at Johns Hopkins University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.56, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Loyola University Maryland is highest at 1.86.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When looking at the data, a clear pattern emerges between the top-performing schools. For instance, Johns Hopkins University boasts an 94% graduation rate, significantly higher than Capitol Technology University's 44%. This difference suggests that stronger support systems and resources may contribute to student success, ultimately leading to higher earnings post-graduation.
As you evaluate these programs, consider your own priorities. Think about factors like location, campus culture, and program fit alongside these financial metrics. A school that excels in one area may not meet your expectations in another, so weigh each aspect against your personal goals and circumstances.
Ultimately, these figures highlight the importance of choosing a college that not only provides a solid education but also sets students up for a stable future. A degree in computer science can lead to high earning potential, but the right choice depends on individual needs and aspirations. One family's decision may pave the way for a secure life; understanding these numbers can make that choice clearer.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland ranking? +
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $87,555 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 94% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Johns Hopkins University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $87,555 ten years after enrollment, well above the $56,505 average across the 30 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Carroll Community College leads: graduates earn a median $44,349 against net price of about $2,725 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Johns Hopkins University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 94%, compared with a 49% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,161 a year across the 30 ranked schools with cost data. Carroll Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,725. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science Colleges in Maryland ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 31 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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