Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2025
Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Maryland.
Key Takeaways
- The best private colleges in Maryland are globally recognized for their research programs, providing students with access to cutting-edge facilities and the chance to engage in groundbreaking projects across various disciplines.
- The best private colleges in Marylands emphasize small class sizes and a discussion-based curriculum, fostering close faculty-student relationships and personalized educational experiences.
- Many of the colleges in our ranking are located near major urban centers like Baltimore and Washington, D.C., offering students ample internship, networking, and cultural opportunities, enhancing both their academic and professional development.
10 Best Private Colleges in Maryland in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best private colleges in Maryland saw a fair amount of movement. Mount St. Mary’s University gained the most ranking positions as the university introduced a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies program, with the first cohort anticipated to begin in January 2026, pending accreditation approval.
Additionally, the university is expanding its athletic offerings by adding women’s flag football as a varsity sport in the 2025-26 academic year, providing new opportunities for student-athletes. These initiatives reflect Mount St. Mary’s commitment to broadening academic and extracurricular opportunities for its students.
This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 11 private universities in Maryland. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Maryland, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.
Best Private Colleges in Maryland
- #11 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #11 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #11 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #14 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Other Rankings
- #14 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
- #14 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024
- #1 Best Research Universities in Maryland 2025
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #6 Best Research Universities for Nursing Degrees
- #11 Best Research Universities for Earth Sciences Degrees
- #12 Best Research Universities for Physics Degrees
- #13 Best Research Universities for Biology Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Research Universities for Political Science Degrees
- #14 Best Research Universities for Psychology Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Research Universities for Math Degrees
- #14 Best Research Universities for Computer Science Degrees
- #14 Best Research Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
- #14 Best Research Universities for Philosophy Degrees 2025
- #15 Best Research Universities for Engineering Degrees
- #15 Best Research Universities for Chemistry Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for Anthropology Degrees
- #16 Best Research Universities for History Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for English Degrees
- #18 Best Research Universities for Sociology Degrees
- #1 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics 2025
- #1 Best Online MBA in Economics Degree Programs Ranked in 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's in Economics 2025
- #1 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2025 Ranked for Students
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland 2025
- #1 Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
- #1 Best Online Master’s in Finance 2025
- #1 Top 8 Best Online Public Health PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs) 2025
- #1 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
- #1 Best Online Master’s in Sustainability and Green Technologies 2025
- #2 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #2 Best Online Sociology PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
- #3 Best Online PhD of Computer Science Degree Programs (Doctorates) 2025
- #3 Best Online Master's in Management 2025
- #4 Fastest Online Master's Degrees Ranked for Students in 2025
- #4 Fastest Accelerated Online Computer Science Doctorates (PhDs)
- #6 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
- #1 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #11 The Best Traditional MBA Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1545/34
Career Outlook for degree at Johns Hopkins University
Cost of Degree: $62,840Expenses: $22,725Starting Salary: $89,300Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Johns Hopkins University known for?
Johns Hopkins University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #9 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
58%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/29
Career Outlook for degree at Goucher College
Cost of Degree: $51,250Expenses: $20,650Starting Salary: $55,100Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Goucher College known for?
Goucher College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Physics
- Biology
- Literature
- History
- Chemistry
- Education
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
- #8 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #4 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland 2025
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
Tuition + fees
$53K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
79%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/29
Career Outlook for degree at Loyola University Maryland
Cost of Degree: $55,480Expenses: $20,110Starting Salary: $78,300Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Loyola University Maryland known for?
Loyola University Maryland’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Economics
- Social Work
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2025 #10 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
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: $53,776Expenses: $19,540Starting Salary: $56,500Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Washington College known for?
Washington College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Literature
- History
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Political Science
- Economics
- Psychology
- Biology
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2025 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland 2025 #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
66%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at McDaniel College
Cost of Degree: $49,647Expenses: $16,498Starting Salary: $54,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is McDaniel College known for?
McDaniel College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Economics
- Computer Science
- Education
- Physics
- Literature
- Communications
- History
- Biology
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2025 #7 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2025 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland 2025
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: $47,240Expenses: $17,500Starting Salary: $56,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mount St. Mary's University known for?
Mount St. Mary's University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Communications
- Mathematics
- History
- Literature
- Education
- Economics
- Political Science
- Biology
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2025 #9 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024 #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
61%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Hood College
Cost of Degree: $45,870Expenses: $19,272Starting Salary: $49,400Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Hood College known for?
Hood College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Nursing
- Mathematics
- Education
- Biology
- Economics
- Psychology
- Literature
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity in Maryland #4 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025 #5 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025 #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the District Of Columbia
Other Rankings
- #6 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #6 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025
- #6 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs 2025
- #7 Best Online Master's in Biology
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #11 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
- #12 Best Online Master's in Biology
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
- #20 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
65%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Stevenson University
Cost of Degree: $39,708Expenses: $20,278Starting Salary: $54,600Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Stevenson University known for?
Stevenson University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Computer Science
- Business
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Communications
- Education
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Biology
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
- #3 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2025 #10 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland 2025 #12 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
51%
Graduation
50%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Washington Adventist University
Cost of Degree: $25,200Expenses: $12,640Starting Salary: $46,300Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Washington Adventist University known for?
Washington Adventist University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2025 #6 Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024 #13 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2025
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
60%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Notre Dame of Maryland University
Cost of Degree: $41,910Expenses: $18,635Starting Salary: $56,400Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Notre Dame of Maryland University known for?
Notre Dame of Maryland University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Education
- Literature
- Business
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
- History
- Communications
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
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: $39,126Expenses: $16,414Starting Salary: $42,000Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salary
Maryland’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.
Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.