Best College ROI in Md 2026
31 colleges in Md analyzed for return on investment. Capitol Technology University leads with a ROI Score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY).
Md has 31 colleges tracked in the Department of Education's College Scorecard, split between 13 public institutions and 18 private ones. Across the 31 schools with enough data to score, graduates of the top-paying major at each school carry a median federal debt of $23K and earn $86K in their first year out — the gap that determines whether a degree pays back.
94% of Md colleges earn an A or B on the ROI Score, with the rest landing at C or below. First-year earnings top out at Capitol Technology University (median $95K on Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management).
All numbers come from the latest College Scorecard release, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients only — graduates who paid cash or used private loans aren't in this dataset, so actual median debt at high-income schools may be lower than shown. The ROI Score weights debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), BLS job outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%).
Top 3 Best ROI Colleges in Md
Capitol Technology University
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Tops Md's ROI rankings on its Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management program. Graduates earn a median $95K in their first year against $4K in median debt.
Strayer University-Maryland
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Second-best ROI in the state, driven by Computer and Information Sciences. Five-year median earnings: $147K.
Frostburg State University
Public · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Third on the ROI Score with Computer and Information Sciences. Graduation rate 10000%, debt $21K.
Top 20 Colleges by ROI in Md
| # | School | Best Major | Median Debt | 1yr Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capitol Technology University(private) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $4K | $95K | A (100) |
| 2 | Strayer University-Maryland(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $5K | $95K | A (100) |
| 3 | Frostburg State University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 5 | Morgan State University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 6 | Mount St. Mary's University(private) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $22K | $95K | A (96) |
| 7 | United States Naval Academy(public) | Computer Science | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 8 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County(public) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 9 | Women's Institute of Torah Seminary and College(private) | Computer Science | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 10 | Stevenson University(private) | Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $22K | $95K | A (96) |
| 11 | Coppin State University(public) | Computer Science | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 12 | Hood College(private) | Computer Science | $23K | $95K | A (95) |
| 13 | Loyola University Maryland(private) | Computer Science | $21K | $95K | A (95) |
| 14 | Salisbury University(public) | Information Science/Studies | $21K | $95K | A (95) |
| 15 | St. Mary's College of Maryland(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (95) |
| 16 | Towson University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 17 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 18 | University of Maryland-College Park(public) | Computer Science | $21K | $95K | A (95) |
| 19 | Washington College(private) | Mathematics | $21K | $78K | A (95) |
| 20 | McDaniel College(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (95) |
College debt and earnings data for Md is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Capitol Technology University has the best ROI in Md with a score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY). The top major is Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management, with $95K in first-year median earnings against $4K in median debt.
Across 31 Md colleges with ROI data, graduates carry a median debt of about $23K on the best-paying major at each school. First-year median earnings on those same programs average $86K.
Capitol Technology University graduates earn the most one year out, with median first-year pay of $95K on its top major (Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management). After five years, those graduates earn a median of $147K.
Md has 31 colleges in our database (13 public, 18 private). Of the 31 with reportable ROI, 94% earn an A or B grade.
The ROI Score (0-100) weighs debt-to-income ratio (35%), earnings premium over a high school graduate (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%). Scores are graded A-F with verdicts from "Strong Buy" to "Avoid." Data comes from the College Scorecard and BLS occupational projections.
ROI Score: debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), debt vs. national average (10%).