Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Maryland
- 27
- Schools
- $62,722
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $21,130
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,413
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $45,212 at the low end to $87,555 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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University of Maryland-College Park offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $82,860 against $15,678 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Coppin State University, at $9,977 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of its students, well above the 58% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Johns Hopkins University: graduates owe only 0.12× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Coppin State University ($9,977/yr) and St. John's College ($45,597/yr) produce graduates earning $46,490 and $51,584 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $35,620 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, University of Maryland-College Park outperforms Johns Hopkins University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of its students versus 26% at Coppin State University. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with University of Maryland-College Park and Johns Hopkins University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $62K ten years after enrollment.
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 ▲ +40% vs avg | $18,809 | 94% | 84 |
| 2 University of Maryland-College Park #2 overall | $82,860 ▲ +32% vs avg | $15,678 | 89% | 71 |
| 3 Loyola University Maryland #3 overall | $82,652 ▲ +32% vs avg | $30,574 | 80% | 69 |
| $64,072 ▲ +2% vs avg | $22,655 | 62% | 68 | |
| $69,960 ▲ +12% vs avg | $16,467 | 70% | 68 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's Programs in Maryland
This analysis ranks 27 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $62,722 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $21,130.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Maryland-College Park — Net Price: $15,678 | Graduation Rate: 89%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Johns Hopkins University — 94% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Johns Hopkins University — Median alumni earnings: $87,555
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Maryland Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Maryland?
$61,797
Median earnings (10yr)
62%
Median graduation rate
$18,989
Median net price
2.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Maryland serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Start with the medians across these 27 schools. Graduates earn a median of $61,797 ten years after enrollment, or about $13,797 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 62%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $18,989 a year with about $25,000 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 33% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.2%.
For Maryland, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $18,989 and graduates earning a median of $61,797, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Johns Hopkins University lands at #1 with a 84/100 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, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under 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 71/100 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, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,678 a year, well under 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 #3
Loyola University Maryland lands at #3 with a 69/100 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, 32% 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 #4
Mount St. Mary's University lands at #4 with a 68/100 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, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,655 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Baltimore, MD · 72% accepted · $16,467 net
Why it ranks #5
University of Maryland-Baltimore County lands at #5 with a 68/100 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, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,467 a year, well under 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 #6
Washington College lands at #6 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $65,518 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,898 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 #7
Towson University lands at #7 with a 65/100 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, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,413 a year, well under 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
Notre Dame of Maryland University lands at #8 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,344 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,169 a year, well under 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
Goucher College lands at #9 with a 64/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,470 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 #10
St. Mary's College of Maryland lands at #10 with a 64/100 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, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,441 a year, well under 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 #11
McDaniel College lands at #11 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $60,663 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,916 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
Why it ranks #12
Salisbury University lands at #12 with a 62/100 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, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,743 a year, well under 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
Hood College lands at #13 with a 62/100 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, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,873 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
Why it ranks #14
Stevenson University lands at #14 with a 62/100 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, 1% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Capitol Technology University lands at #15 with a 61/100 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, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,102 a year. 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 #16
Washington Adventist University lands at #16 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $64,249 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,526 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Frostburg State University lands at #17 with a 60/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,715 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 #18
University of Baltimore lands at #18 with a 59/100 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, 2% below 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 #19
Maryland Institute College of Art lands at #19 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $45,212 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $42,729 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 #20
Morgan State University lands at #20 with a 56/100 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, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,985 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 #21
Coppin State University lands at #21 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,490 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,977 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 #22
Bowie State University lands at #22 with a 55/100 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, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,298 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 #23
United States Naval Academy lands at #23 with a 55/100 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
Princess Anne, MD · 96% accepted · $13,338 net
Why it ranks #24
University of Maryland Eastern Shore lands at #24 with a 54/100 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, 24% 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 #25
University of Maryland Global Campus lands at #25 with a 52/100 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, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,063 a year. 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
Ner Israel Rabbinical College lands at #26 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $66,330 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,572 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
St. John's College lands at #27 with a 50/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $51,584 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $45,597 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 26 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a master's program is a significant decision that can shape your career and financial future. For those considering options in Maryland, the 26 schools on this list stand out for their graduate outcomes. On average, graduates from these programs earn $62,722, which reflects the potential return on investment for students.
The strongest programs in this ranking excel in key areas such as earnings potential, graduation rates, and manageable debt levels. For example, earnings for graduates range from $60,110 at St. Mary's College of Maryland to $87,555 at Johns Hopkins University. This information is crucial for students weighing their options, as it highlights the trade-offs between program cost and financial outcomes.
Take Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland-College Park as examples. While Johns Hopkins boasts a high earning potential of $87,555 and a graduation rate of 94%, the University of Maryland-College Park offers a slightly lower earning potential at $82,860 with a still-impressive 89% graduation rate. These differences matter as students consider not only how much they might earn after graduation but also the likelihood of completing their degree.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 11 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.2%. Mount St. Mary's University leads the group at 6.4%, with Hood College (2.8%) and Notre Dame of Maryland University (2.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Mount St. Mary's University leads at 21.2%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 36% across this list. Johns Hopkins University posts the highest success rate at 58.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.78 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Loyola University Maryland reaches 1.86, the highest on the list.
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 we look closely at the data, a notable trend emerges between Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Despite UMBC's lower graduation rate of 70% and earnings of $69,960, its net price is comparable at $16,467. In contrast, Johns Hopkins, while more expensive, offers significantly higher earnings and graduation rates, illustrating the value of investing in a top-tier program.
For future students, weighing these outcomes against personal priorities is essential. Consider factors like location, the specific programs offered, campus culture, and financial situation. For instance, if a lower net price and manageable debt are more critical, schools like Towson University may be appealing despite lower earning potential.
Ultimately, this data underscores the importance of making an informed decision that aligns with your family's goals. The path from graduate school to a stable career is not just about the degree; it's about how that degree translates into real-world opportunities. Each program on this list offers a different balance of costs and benefits, influencing the future of every student who enrolls.
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 Master's Programs in Maryland: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Maryland ranking? +
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's Programs 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 $62,722 average across the 26 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, University of Maryland-College Park leads: graduates earn a median $82,860 against net price of about $15,678 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 58% 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 $21,130 a year across the 26 ranked schools with cost data. Coppin State University is among the most affordable at roughly $9,977. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Master's Programs 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 27 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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