Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2024

Badge for BEST IN MARYLAND SMALL COLLEGES

Small colleges in Maryland are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

10 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2024

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  1. Loyola University Maryland
  2. University of Baltimore
  3. Goucher College
  4. Washington College
  5. St. Mary's College of Maryland
  6. McDaniel College
  7. Frostburg State University
  8. Washington Adventist University
  9. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  10. Hood College
  1. Goucher College
  2. Washington College
  3. Loyola University Maryland
  4. McDaniel College
  5. University of Baltimore
  6. St. Mary's College of Maryland
  7. Mount St. Mary's University
  8. Hood College
  9. Frostburg State University
  10. Coppin State University
  1. University of Baltimore 89%
  2. Frostburg State University 88%
  3. Stevenson University 84%
  4. Loyola University Maryland 83%
  5. McDaniel College 82%
  6. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
  7. Mount St. Mary's University 80%
  8. Goucher College 80%
  9. Hood College 78%
  10. St. Mary's College of Maryland 77%
  1. Stevenson University 15 to 1
  2. Mount St. Mary's University 13 to 1
  3. Loyola University Maryland 13 to 1
  4. Frostburg State University 12 to 1
  5. McDaniel College 12 to 1
  6. Hood College 11 to 1
  7. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
  8. Coppin State University 10 to 1
  9. St. Mary's College of Maryland 10 to 1
  10. University of Baltimore 10 to 1
  1. Loyola University Maryland $53,430
  2. Washington College $52,481
  3. Goucher College $49,220
  4. McDaniel College $46,800
  5. Mount St. Mary's University $45,870
  6. Hood College $44,500
  7. Notre Dame of Maryland University $40,730
  8. Stevenson University $38,738
  9. St. John's College, Annapolis $37,260
  10. Washington Adventist University $25,200
  1. St. John's College, Annapolis $19,692
  2. Loyola University Maryland $18,900
  3. St. Mary's College of Maryland $16,530
  4. University of Baltimore $14,382
  5. Mount St. Mary's University $13,899
  6. Goucher College $13,185
  7. Notre Dame of Maryland University $11,889
  8. Washington Adventist University $11,160
  9. McDaniel College $9,666
  10. Hood College $9,000
  1. St. John's College, Annapolis
  2. Notre Dame of Maryland University
  3. Mount St. Mary's University
  4. Stevenson University
  5. Coppin State University
  6. Hood College
  7. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  8. Washington Adventist University
  9. Frostburg State University
  10. McDaniel College
  1. St. John's College, Annapolis
  2. Notre Dame of Maryland University
  3. Washington Adventist University
  4. Stevenson University
  5. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  6. Coppin State University
  7. Frostburg State University
  8. Hood College
  9. Mount St. Mary's University
  10. St. Mary's College of Maryland
  1. Coppin State University 45%
  2. St. John's College, Annapolis 50%
  3. Washington Adventist University 51%
  4. Notre Dame of Maryland University 70%
  5. Washington College 75%
  6. St. Mary's College of Maryland 77%
  7. Hood College 78%
  8. Goucher College 80%
  9. Mount St. Mary's University 80%
  10. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
  1. Washington Adventist University 6 to 1
  2. Goucher College 7 to 1
  3. St. John's College, Annapolis 8 to 1
  4. Notre Dame of Maryland University 8 to 1
  5. Washington College 9 to 1
  6. Coppin State University 10 to 1
  7. St. Mary's College of Maryland 10 to 1
  8. University of Baltimore 10 to 1
  9. Hood College 11 to 1
  10. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
  1. Coppin State University $4,836
  2. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637
  3. Frostburg State University $6,974
  4. University of Baltimore $7,296
  5. St. Mary's College of Maryland $12,116
  6. Washington Adventist University $25,200
  7. St. John's College, Annapolis $37,260
  8. Stevenson University $38,738
  9. Notre Dame of Maryland University $40,730
  10. Hood College $44,500
  1. Coppin State University $6,316
  2. Frostburg State University $8,208
  3. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
  4. Stevenson University $8,340
  5. Hood College $9,000
  6. McDaniel College $9,666
  7. Washington Adventist University $11,160
  8. Notre Dame of Maryland University $11,889
  9. Goucher College $13,185
  10. Mount St. Mary's University $13,899

Colleges and Universities in Maryland

The Old Line State has 46 colleges and universities, 30 of which are public and 16 of which are private. The United States Naval Academy offers programs in physical sciences, aeronautical engineering, and naval architecture. The largest private institution, Johns Hopkins University, has just over 24,000 students and a tuition rate of $54,000. Located in Baltimore, this research university is known for its science and medical discoveries.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

The University of Maryland in College Park boasts over 35,000 students with a price tag of $11,000. The school has 15 campuses, and students can choose from areas of study like criminal justice, communications, physics, and sociology. The most affordable school in the state, Baltimore City Community College comes in at $3,000 and has 37 associate degree programs to choose from. Maryland also provides loan forgiveness programs for its residents, including those for dentists and public servants. Students can also check out the Maryland SmartBuy Home Buyer Assistance and Forgiveness Program, where eligible applicants can receive up to 15% of the home purchase price toward outstanding student loan, to be paid off as part of closing.

Maryland is a state bursting with history, from its numerous museums to its historic battlegrounds. Students who attend school in Maryland can explore the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Park and walk the same streets as many influential Marylanders, including Francis Scott Key, Babe Ruth, Billie Holiday, and Thurgood Marshall.

Whether you’re looking to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, Maryland offers its students history, legacy, and numerous degree paths.


What are Maryland’s Colleges & Universities?

Maryland’s Best Overall

Maryland's Best Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Maryland is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 15 small colleges in Maryland. The list below of the best small colleges in Maryland. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2023

  1. #2

    University of Baltimore

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Baltimore

    Cost of Degree: $9,506
    Starting Salary: $63,400

    University of Baltimore’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Policy, Politics And International Affairs
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. #4

    Washington College

    Chestertown , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1290/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Washington College

    Cost of Degree: $51,991
    Expenses: $17,894
    Starting Salary: $56,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #5

    St. Mary's College of Maryland

    St. Mary's City , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1250/29

    Career Outlook for degree at St. Mary's College of Maryland

    Cost of Degree: $15,184
    Expenses: $16,611
    Starting Salary: $55,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is St. Mary's College of Maryland known for?

    St. Mary's College of Maryland’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  4. #6

    McDaniel College

    Westminster , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at McDaniel College

    Cost of Degree: $46,800
    Expenses: $15,884
    Starting Salary: $54,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Frostburg State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,804
    Expenses: $16,696
    Starting Salary: $47,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Frostburg State University known for?

    Frostburg State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Frostburg State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Tuition + fees

    $25K

    Acceptance

    51%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Washington Adventist University

    Cost of Degree: $25,200
    Expenses: $12,640
    Starting Salary: $46,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Washington Adventist University known for?

    Washington Adventist University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

    Cost of Degree: $8,898
    Expenses: $17,656
    Starting Salary: $40,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Maryland Eastern Shore known for?

    University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. #10

    Hood College

    Frederick , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Hood College

    Cost of Degree: $44,500
    Expenses: $18,370
    Starting Salary: $49,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Hood College known for?

    Hood College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #11

    Coppin State University

    Baltimore , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    45%

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Coppin State University

    Cost of Degree: $6,904
    Expenses: $15,932
    Starting Salary: $41,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Coppin State University known for?

    Coppin State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Coppin State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. #12

    Stevenson University

    Owings Mills , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Stevenson University

    Cost of Degree: $38,738
    Expenses: $19,780
    Starting Salary: $54,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Stevenson University known for?

    Stevenson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Stevenson University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity And Digital Forensics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #13

    Mount St. Mary's University

    Emmitsburg , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    65%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Mount St. Mary's University

    Cost of Degree: $45,870
    Expenses: $17,070
    Starting Salary: $56,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Notre Dame of Maryland University

    Cost of Degree: $40,730
    Expenses: $20,150
    Starting Salary: $56,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Notre Dame of Maryland University known for?

    Notre Dame of Maryland University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Online Degrees

    BA/MAcc in Business And Accounting
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accelerated 2nd Degree
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    50%

    Graduation

    77%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1355/31

    Career Outlook for degree at St. John's College, Annapolis

    Cost of Degree: $37,260
    Expenses: $15,700
    Starting Salary: $42,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is St. John's College, Annapolis known for?

    Most Influential Alumni

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Maryland’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Goucher College
  2. St. Mary's College of Maryland
  3. Washington College
  4. Mount St. Mary's University
  5. McDaniel College
  6. Hood College
  7. Notre Dame of Maryland University
  8. St. John's College, Annapolis
  9. Stevenson University
  10. Frostburg State University

Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in South Dakota and California.

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