Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2024
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
- Loyola University Maryland
- University of Baltimore
- Goucher College
- Washington College
- St. Mary's College of Maryland
- McDaniel College
- Frostburg State University
- Washington Adventist University
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Hood College
- Goucher College
- Washington College
- Loyola University Maryland
- McDaniel College
- University of Baltimore
- St. Mary's College of Maryland
- Mount St. Mary's University
- Hood College
- Frostburg State University
- Coppin State University
- University of Baltimore 89%
- Frostburg State University 88%
- Stevenson University 84%
- Loyola University Maryland 83%
- McDaniel College 82%
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
- Mount St. Mary's University 80%
- Goucher College 80%
- Hood College 78%
- St. Mary's College of Maryland 77%
- Stevenson University 15 to 1
- Mount St. Mary's University 13 to 1
- Loyola University Maryland 13 to 1
- Frostburg State University 12 to 1
- McDaniel College 12 to 1
- Hood College 11 to 1
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
- Coppin State University 10 to 1
- St. Mary's College of Maryland 10 to 1
- University of Baltimore 10 to 1
- Loyola University Maryland $53,430
- Washington College $52,481
- Goucher College $49,220
- McDaniel College $46,800
- Mount St. Mary's University $45,870
- Hood College $44,500
- Notre Dame of Maryland University $40,730
- Stevenson University $38,738
- St. John's College, Annapolis $37,260
- Washington Adventist University $25,200
- St. John's College, Annapolis $19,692
- Loyola University Maryland $18,900
- St. Mary's College of Maryland $16,530
- University of Baltimore $14,382
- Mount St. Mary's University $13,899
- Goucher College $13,185
- Notre Dame of Maryland University $11,889
- Washington Adventist University $11,160
- McDaniel College $9,666
- Hood College $9,000
- St. John's College, Annapolis
- Notre Dame of Maryland University
- Mount St. Mary's University
- Stevenson University
- Coppin State University
- Hood College
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Washington Adventist University
- Frostburg State University
- McDaniel College
- St. John's College, Annapolis
- Notre Dame of Maryland University
- Washington Adventist University
- Stevenson University
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Coppin State University
- Frostburg State University
- Hood College
- Mount St. Mary's University
- St. Mary's College of Maryland
- Coppin State University 45%
- St. John's College, Annapolis 50%
- Washington Adventist University 51%
- Notre Dame of Maryland University 70%
- Washington College 75%
- St. Mary's College of Maryland 77%
- Hood College 78%
- Goucher College 80%
- Mount St. Mary's University 80%
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
- Washington Adventist University 6 to 1
- Goucher College 7 to 1
- St. John's College, Annapolis 8 to 1
- Notre Dame of Maryland University 8 to 1
- Washington College 9 to 1
- Coppin State University 10 to 1
- St. Mary's College of Maryland 10 to 1
- University of Baltimore 10 to 1
- Hood College 11 to 1
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
- Coppin State University $4,836
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637
- Frostburg State University $6,974
- University of Baltimore $7,296
- St. Mary's College of Maryland $12,116
- Washington Adventist University $25,200
- St. John's College, Annapolis $37,260
- Stevenson University $38,738
- Notre Dame of Maryland University $40,730
- Hood College $44,500
- Coppin State University $6,316
- Frostburg State University $8,208
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
- Stevenson University $8,340
- Hood College $9,000
- McDaniel College $9,666
- Washington Adventist University $11,160
- Notre Dame of Maryland University $11,889
- Goucher College $13,185
- 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?
- 6 Research Universities
- 18 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 13 Graduate Schools
- 13 Public Colleges & Universities
- 11 Private Colleges & Universities
- 4 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 15 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 13 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 16 Community Colleges
- 7 Online Colleges
Maryland’s Best Overall
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.
Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2023
- #10 50 Best Christian Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
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: $53,430Expenses: $19,170Starting Salary: $78,300Cost Recoup Time: 15 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
- #20 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024
- #5 Best Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland
- #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
- #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
- #21 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #21 Best Online Master's Degrees in Accounting
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
33%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Baltimore
Cost of Degree: $9,506Starting Salary: $63,400What is University of Baltimore known for?
University of Baltimore’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Law
- Social Work
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Business
- Psychology
- History
- Philosophy
- Literature
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
- #3 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #4 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: $49,220Expenses: $20,780Starting Salary: $55,100Cost Recoup Time: 18 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
- #4 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #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: $51,991Expenses: $17,894Starting Salary: $56,500Cost Recoup Time: 18 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
- #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #9 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024
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: $15,184Expenses: $16,611Starting Salary: $55,200Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is St. Mary's College of Maryland known for?
St. Mary's College of Maryland’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Economics
- Education
- Mathematics
- Anthropology
- Literature
- Sociology
- Biology
- History
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024 #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2024
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
66%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at McDaniel College
Cost of Degree: $46,800Expenses: $15,884Starting 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
- #10 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024 #10 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024 #10 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
49%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Frostburg State University
Cost of Degree: $9,804Expenses: $16,696Starting Salary: $47,200Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Frostburg State University known for?
Frostburg State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Literature
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Frostburg State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland #12 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2024
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
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
37%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Cost of Degree: $8,898Expenses: $17,656Starting Salary: $40,400Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Maryland Eastern Shore known for?
University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
61%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Hood College
Cost of Degree: $44,500Expenses: $18,370Starting Salary: $49,400Cost Recoup Time: 18 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
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
45%
Graduation
24%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Coppin State University
Cost of Degree: $6,904Expenses: $15,932Starting Salary: $41,800Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Coppin State University known for?
Coppin State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Computer Science
- Nursing
- Education
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- History
- Literature
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
Coppin State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #8 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity in Maryland #4 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs #5 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
Other Rankings
- #5 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in the District Of Columbia
- #6 Best Online Master’s in Forensics Degree Programs
- #7 Best Online Master's in Biology
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2024
- #11 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #12 Best Online Master's in Biology
- #20 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
- #21 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
65%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Stevenson University
Cost of Degree: $38,738Expenses: $19,780Starting 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 2024 #9 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #10 Best Online MBA Programs in Maryland
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: $45,870Expenses: $17,070Starting 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
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2024 #10 Best Private Colleges in Maryland 2024 #6 Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024 #14 Best Online Master's Programs in Maryland 2024
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
60%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Notre Dame of Maryland University
Cost of Degree: $40,730Expenses: $20,150Starting 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: $37,260Expenses: $15,700Starting Salary: $42,000Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salary
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.
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.