Best Political Science and Government Degrees in Maryland by ROI
Colleges in Maryland ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Maryland
11
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$81,933
Across Maryland programs
Average Annual Cost
$42,867
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Frostburg State University
Grad rate: 50.7% |
+$236,210 | $60,798 | $26,500 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
University of Maryland-College Park
Grad rate: 88.9% |
+$45,571 | $51,160 | $28,073 | $18,768 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
University of Maryland Global Campus
Grad rate: 23.6% |
+$31,000 | $48,696 | $19,790 | $17,600 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Grad rate: 70.5% |
-$4,720 | $48,836 | $27,935 | $22,000 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Johns Hopkins University
Grad rate: 94.3% |
-$33,620 | $56,579 | $81,300 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Towson University
Grad rate: 68.7% |
-$51,385 | $46,164 | $26,621 | $20,875 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Grad rate: 69.3% |
-$75,066 | $46,198 | $31,319 | $25,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Salisbury University
Grad rate: 68.0% |
-$172,962 | $40,142 | $26,134 | $23,160 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Loyola University Maryland
Grad rate: 79.5% |
-$241,034 | $46,092 | $71,606 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Washington College
Grad rate: 72.7% |
-$295,317 | $42,941 | $70,191 | $24,721 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Mount St. Mary's University
Grad rate: 61.0% |
-$339,942 | $39,241 | $62,078 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Political Science and Government Degrees by State
Browse Political Science and Government programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.