Best Colleges in Maryland 2024

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Here are the best colleges and universities in Maryland. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

10 Best Colleges in Maryland

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  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Maryland, College Park
  3. United States Naval Academy
  4. Loyola University Maryland
  5. University of Baltimore
  6. Towson University
  7. Morgan State University
  8. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  9. Goucher College
  10. Washington College
  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. University of Maryland, College Park
  3. United States Naval Academy
  4. Goucher College
  5. Washington College
  6. Loyola University Maryland
  7. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  8. Morgan State University
  9. Towson University
  10. McDaniel College
  1. Stevenson University 91%
  2. University of Baltimore 89%
  3. Towson University 88%
  4. McDaniel College 87%
  5. Morgan State University 87%
  6. Bowie State University 87%
  7. Salisbury University 86%
  8. Frostburg State University 86%
  9. Loyola University Maryland 84%
  10. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
  1. University of Maryland Global Campus 19 to 1
  2. University of Maryland, Baltimore County 17 to 1
  3. University of Maryland, College Park 17 to 1
  4. Towson University 16 to 1
  5. Bowie State University 16 to 1
  6. Stevenson University 15 to 1
  7. Salisbury University 15 to 1
  8. Frostburg State University 14 to 1
  9. Mount St. Mary's University 14 to 1
  10. McDaniel College 13 to 1
  1. Johns Hopkins University $58,720
  2. Loyola University Maryland $53,530
  3. Washington College $49,768
  4. Goucher College $48,200
  5. McDaniel College $46,336
  6. Mount St. Mary's University $44,750
  7. Hood College $43,140
  8. Notre Dame of Maryland University $39,745
  9. Stevenson University $38,168
  10. St. John's College, Annapolis $36,170
  1. Johns Hopkins University $58,720
  2. St. John's College, Annapolis $19,116
  3. Loyola University Maryland $18,540
  4. St. Mary's College of Maryland $16,530
  5. University of Maryland, College Park $15,360
  6. University of Baltimore $14,094
  7. Mount St. Mary's University $13,676
  8. Notre Dame of Maryland University $13,321
  9. University of Maryland, Baltimore County $12,222
  10. Washington Adventist University $11,160
  1. St. John's College, Annapolis
  2. Notre Dame of Maryland University
  3. Mount St. Mary's University
  4. University of Maryland Global Campus
  5. Stevenson University
  6. Coppin State University
  7. Hood College
  8. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  9. Washington Adventist University
  10. Frostburg State University
  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. University of Maryland Global Campus
  7. Coppin State University
  8. Salisbury University
  9. Frostburg State University
  10. Hood College
  1. United States Naval Academy 8%
  2. Johns Hopkins University 8%
  3. Coppin State University 48%
  4. University of Maryland, College Park 52%
  5. St. John's College, Annapolis 53%
  6. Washington Adventist University 62%
  7. Notre Dame of Maryland University 65%
  8. Washington College 70%
  9. Hood College 77%
  10. St. Mary's College of Maryland 77%
  1. Johns Hopkins University 6 to 1
  2. St. John's College, Annapolis 7 to 1
  3. Notre Dame of Maryland University 7 to 1
  4. United States Naval Academy 8 to 1
  5. Goucher College 9 to 1
  6. St. Mary's College of Maryland 9 to 1
  7. Washington College 9 to 1
  8. University of Maryland Eastern Shore 10 to 1
  9. Washington Adventist University 11 to 1
  10. Hood College 11 to 1
  1. Coppin State University $4,741
  2. Morgan State University $5,477
  3. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,526
  4. Bowie State University $5,760
  5. Frostburg State University $6,834
  6. Towson University $7,100
  7. University of Baltimore $7,154
  8. University of Maryland Global Campus $7,344
  9. Salisbury University $7,408
  10. University of Maryland, Baltimore County $8,878
  1. Coppin State University $6,318
  2. Bowie State University $7,758
  3. Frostburg State University $8,028
  4. Morgan State University $8,190
  5. Towson University $8,280
  6. Stevenson University $8,340
  7. University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,352
  8. Salisbury University $8,585
  9. Hood College $8,820
  10. University of Maryland Global Campus $9,072

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

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Maryland's Best Colleges and Universities Badge
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We’ve identified 24 colleges and universities in Maryland that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Maryland below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Maryland.

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Best Colleges in Maryland 2023

  1. #1

    Johns Hopkins University

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Johns Hopkins University

    Cost of Degree: $60,480
    Expenses: $20,320
    Starting Salary: $89,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    52%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    45K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1375/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland, College Park

    Cost of Degree: $11,233
    Expenses: $18,404
    Starting Salary: $70,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #5

    University of Baltimore

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1004/25

    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
  4. #7

    Morgan State University

    Baltimore , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    990/18

    Career Outlook for degree at Morgan State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,008
    Expenses: $17,727
    Starting Salary: $42,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Morgan State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Cloud Computing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1250/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    Cost of Degree: $12,606
    Expenses: $18,189
    Starting Salary: $59,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #10

    Washington College

    Chestertown , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    1K

    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
  7. #11

    Salisbury University

    Salisbury , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Salisbury University

    Cost of Degree: $10,396
    Expenses: $16,990
    Starting Salary: $54,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Salisbury University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    935/17

    Career Outlook for degree at Bowie State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,753
    Expenses: $16,568
    Starting Salary: $48,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bowie State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #13

    St. Mary's College of Maryland

    St. Mary's City , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/26

    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

  10. #14

    McDaniel College

    Westminster , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $46K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    65%

    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
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/20

    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
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $25K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    40%

    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

  13. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    925/17

    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

  14. #18

    Hood College

    Frederick , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    66%

    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

  15. #19

    Coppin State University

    Baltimore , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    895/19

    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
  16. #20

    Stevenson University

    Stevenson , MD
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    59%

    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
  17. #22

    Mount St. Mary's University

    Emmitsburg , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1073/22

    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
  18. Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    59%

    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
  19. Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    <1K

    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 Colleges 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. Johns Hopkins University
  2. United States Naval Academy
  3. Goucher College
  4. University of Maryland, College Park
  5. St. Mary's College of Maryland
  6. Washington College
  7. Loyola University Maryland
  8. Mount St. Mary's University
  9. University of Maryland, Baltimore County
  10. McDaniel College
  11. Hood College
  12. Towson University
  13. Notre Dame of Maryland University
  14. St. John's College, Annapolis
  15. Stevenson University
  16. Salisbury University
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