Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Maryland
- 20
- Schools
- $63,479
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,644
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,095
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $46,490 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 59% 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 Loyola University Maryland ($30,574/yr) produce graduates earning $46,490 and $82,652 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $20,597 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
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with University of Maryland-College Park and Johns Hopkins University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 ▲ +38% vs avg | $18,809 | 94% | 78 |
| 2 Loyola University Maryland #2 overall | $82,652 ▲ +30% vs avg | $30,574 | 80% | 68 |
| 3 Washington College #3 overall | $65,518 ▲ +3% vs avg | $27,898 | 70% | 67 |
| $64,249 ▲ +1% vs avg | $18,526 | 33% | 67 | |
| $64,072 ▲ +1% vs avg | $22,655 | 62% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Maryland
This analysis ranks 20 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $63,479 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $19,644.
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.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$61,797
Median earnings (10yr)
63%
Median graduation rate
$18,668
Median net price
2.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Demand for mental-health and social-service professionals keeps rising, driven by greater awareness of mental-health needs, an aging population, and expanding access to services. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The social return is high and the financial return is capped, which makes program cost the most important variable in the value equation.
Across the 20 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $61,797 ten years after they first enrolled, about $13,797 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 63%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $18,668 a year, with about $24,125 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 33% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.2%.
In human services, the cost of the degree matters as much as the career that follows it. Median earnings of roughly $61,797 and a net price of about $18,668 leave little room for heavy borrowing. Graduates who keep debt minimal do best in a field where the rewards are primarily social rather than financial.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Johns Hopkins University lands at #1 with a 78/100 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, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 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
Why it ranks #2
Loyola University Maryland lands at #2 with a 68/100 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, 30% 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 #3
Washington College lands at #3 with a 67/100 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, 3% 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 #4
Washington Adventist University lands at #4 with a 67/100 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,526 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
Why it ranks #5
Mount St. Mary's University lands at #5 with a 67/100 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, 1% 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 #6
Goucher College lands at #6 with a 66/100 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, 16% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
College Park, MD · 45% accepted · $15,678 net
Why it ranks #7
University of Maryland-College Park lands at #7 with a 65/100 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, 31% 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
Baltimore, MD · 72% accepted · $16,467 net
Why it ranks #8
University of Maryland-Baltimore County lands at #8 with a 65/100 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, 10% 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 #9
McDaniel College lands at #9 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, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,916 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
St. Mary's College of Maryland lands at #10 with a 62/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,441 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
Why it ranks #11
Towson University lands at #11 with a 62/100 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, 1% 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 #12
Hood College lands at #12 with a 61/100 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, 10% 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 #13
Stevenson University lands at #13 with a 59/100 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, 2% 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 #14
Salisbury University lands at #14 with a 57/100 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, 3% 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 #15
Frostburg State University lands at #15 with a 56/100 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, 13% 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 #16
University of Baltimore lands at #16 with a 55/100 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, 3% 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 #17
Bowie State University lands at #17 with a 54/100 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, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,298 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 #18
Morgan State University lands at #18 with a 54/100 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, 20% 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 #19
Coppin State University lands at #19 with a 53/100 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, 27% 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 #20
University of Maryland Global Campus lands at #20 with a 50/100 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, 3% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 20 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right psychology program in Maryland can have a lasting impact on a student's career and financial future. With options ranging from large universities to smaller colleges, prospective students are weighing their choices based on outcomes that matter. For instance, the average earnings for psychology graduates in Maryland are $61,486, making it essential to consider which schools can help students achieve this figure.
What sets the top schools apart on this list are their graduation rates, average earnings, student debt, and overall mobility. Schools with higher graduation rates tend to have better support systems in place, leading to improved outcomes. The schools listed below have been ranked based on these factors, so you can see how each institution stacks up in delivering value and results.
Take the University of Maryland-College Park and Loyola University Maryland, for example. While College Park boasts impressive earnings of $82,860 and an 89% graduation rate, Loyola has a lower graduation rate of 80% and a higher net price of $30,574. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students face when it comes to financial investment and potential outcomes, inviting deeper exploration into what each program has to offer.
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 9 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 Goucher College (2.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.6% 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 38% 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 1.79 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
Despite the average earnings for psychology graduates being $61,486, there's a marked difference between schools. For instance, the University of Maryland-College Park not only leads with earnings of $82,860 but also has a robust graduation rate of 89%. In contrast, St. Mary's College of Maryland has lower earnings at $60,110 and a graduation rate of only 69%. This highlights how critical it is to assess not just the potential salary but also the support and resources available at each institution.
After reviewing the list, consider which factors matter most to you. If location is a priority, look at schools close to home or in urban areas with internship opportunities. For those concerned about finances, weigh the net price against potential earnings. Each student's situation is unique, so align the data with your personal priorities to make an informed decision.
Ultimately, the journey from college to a stable career can hinge on your choice of school. With increasing student debt and varying graduation rates, these decisions are more critical than ever. One family may choose a more affordable school with a solid support system, while another may invest in a pricier program for higher earnings. Understanding these dynamics is essential as you plot your course toward a successful future.
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 Psychology Colleges in Maryland: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Maryland ranking? +
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology 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 $63,479 average across the 20 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 59% 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 $19,644 a year across the 20 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 Psychology 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 20 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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