UMD Computer Science Graduates Report 93% Job Placement Rate

The University of Maryland’s Department of Computer Science reported a 93% job placement rate for its class of 2024, according to data compiled by the University Career Center. The annual graduation survey, which covers students who completed degrees in August and December 2023 and May 2024, provides insights into initial career outcomes, continuing education trends and student experiences.

“We are proud of our continued growth and these results affirm the strength of our academic program and the value that employers see in our graduates,” said Department Chair Matthias Zwicker, who holds the Elizabeth Iribe Chair for Innovation and the Phillip H. and Catherine C. Horvitz Professorship. “We are committed to helping students develop not only the technical foundation but also the professional experience that makes them competitive in today’s workforce.”

Out of 959 total graduates, responses were collected from 687 students, yielding a knowledge rate of 72%. Among those, 80.5% reported entering the workforce, while 12.4% chose to pursue further education. Only 1.9% of graduates remained unplaced at the time of reporting, and 5.2% were still finalizing plans.

Among students who accepted full-time jobs, the median starting salary was $105,000, with most reporting salaries between $88,000 and $127,000. About 175 students reported receiving a bonus, with a median bonus amount of $10,257.90.

Internships remained a key factor in employment outcomes. Of the 390 respondents who answered questions about internships, 84.4% had completed at least one internship while at UMD. Among them, 67.2% completed two or more internships, and 89.1% said they had at least one paid internship. 

Many students credited internship experience as the path to their current jobs. Sixty-two percent of those who responded to job search questions said their internships led to job offers. Other commonly cited methods for securing employment included non-UMD job platforms, personal contacts and UMD career fairs.

Survey respondents accepted positions across a wide range of employers, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Capital One, Lockheed Martin and the National Security Agency. Common job titles among graduates included software engineer, data analyst, product manager and systems developer. 

A majority of graduates remained in the region. Of those who reported employment locations, 28% said they were working in Maryland, 25% in Virginia and 5% in Washington, D.C. Combined, 62% of the class reported working in the greater DMV area. Other popular destinations included New York, California, and Washington state.

“These outcomes provide valuable insight into the broad experiences our students have during their time here,” Zwicker said. “It reinforces our focus on providing both academic rigor and meaningful opportunities for students to engage outside the classroom as they prepare for life after graduation.”

—Story by Samuel Malede Zewdu, CS Communications