Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2022

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2022
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Maryland offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland

  1. United States Naval Academy
  2. Loyola University Maryland
  3. University of Baltimore
  4. Goucher College
  5. Washington College
  6. Salisbury University
  7. Bowie State University
  8. St. Mary's College of Maryland
  9. McDaniel College
  10. Frostburg State University

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 Liberal Arts Colleges Badge
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A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 18 liberal arts colleges in Maryland. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in Maryland, schools must fully accredited institutions.

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Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2022

  3. #3

    University of Baltimore

    Baltimore , MD
    #20 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2022 #2 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2022 #3 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2022 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2022
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    38%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1004/25

    What is University of Baltimore known for?

    University of Baltimore’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    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
  11. #10

    Frostburg State University

    Frostburg , MD
    #7 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2022 #10 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2022 #10 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2022 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2022

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/20

    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
  15. #13

    Coppin State University

    Baltimore , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    48%

    Graduation

    26%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    895/19

    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. #14

    Stevenson University

    Stevenson , MD
    #8 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2022

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    3K

    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. #15

    University of Maryland Global Campus

    Adelphi , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    21%

    Student body

    37K

    What is University of Maryland Global Campus known for?

    University of Maryland Global Campus’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  20. #17

    Notre Dame of Maryland University

    Baltimore , MD
    #4 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2022 #10 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2022

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    1K

    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
  21. #18

    St. John's College, Annapolis

    Annapolis , MD

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is St. John's College, Annapolis known for?

    Most Influential Alumni

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Maryland’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
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. United States Naval Academy
  2. Goucher College
  3. St. Mary's College of Maryland
  4. Washington College
  5. Loyola University Maryland
  6. Mount St. Mary's University
  7. McDaniel College
  8. Hood College
  9. St. John's College, Annapolis
  10. Salisbury University
  11. Notre Dame of Maryland University
  12. Stevenson University

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

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