Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN MARYLAND

Published: Mar 26, 2021
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Maryland. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

10 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024

University of Maryland, College Park
United States Naval Academy
University of Baltimore
Towson University
Morgan State University
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Salisbury University
Bowie State University
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Frostburg State University

University of Maryland, College Park
United States Naval Academy
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Morgan State University
Towson University
Bowie State University
University of Baltimore
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Frostburg State University
Salisbury University

Salisbury University 91%
University of Baltimore 89%
Frostburg State University 88%
Bowie State University 87%
Morgan State University 85%
University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
University of Maryland, Baltimore County 81%
Towson University 79%
St. Mary's College of Maryland 77%
University of Maryland, College Park 45%

University of Maryland Global Campus 19 to 1
University of Maryland, Baltimore County 18 to 1
University of Maryland, College Park 18 to 1
Morgan State University 17 to 1
Towson University 15 to 1
Bowie State University 15 to 1
Salisbury University 13 to 1
Frostburg State University 12 to 1
University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
Coppin State University 10 to 1

St. Mary's College of Maryland $12,116
University of Maryland, College Park $9,695
University of Maryland, Baltimore County $9,056
Salisbury University $7,556
University of Maryland Global Campus $7,488
University of Baltimore $7,296
Towson University $7,238
Frostburg State University $6,974
Bowie State University $5,874
University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637

St. Mary's College of Maryland $16,530
University of Maryland, College Park $16,238
University of Baltimore $14,382
University of Maryland, Baltimore County $12,582
University of Maryland Global Campus $9,252
Towson University $8,676
University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
Bowie State University $8,236
Frostburg State University $8,208
Morgan State University $8,190

University of Maryland Global Campus
Coppin State University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Frostburg State University
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Bowie State University
Salisbury University
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Morgan State University
Towson University

University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Global Campus
Coppin State University
Salisbury University
Frostburg State University
St. Mary's College of Maryland
University of Baltimore
Bowie State University
Towson University
Morgan State University

United States Naval Academy 11%
Coppin State University 45%
University of Maryland, College Park 45%
St. Mary's College of Maryland 77%
Towson University 79%
University of Maryland, Baltimore County 81%
University of Maryland Eastern Shore 82%
Morgan State University 85%
Bowie State University 87%
Frostburg State University 88%

United States Naval Academy 8 to 1
Coppin State University 10 to 1
St. Mary's College of Maryland 10 to 1
University of Baltimore 10 to 1
University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11 to 1
Frostburg State University 12 to 1
Salisbury University 13 to 1
Towson University 15 to 1
Bowie State University 15 to 1
Morgan State University 17 to 1

Coppin State University $4,836
Morgan State University $5,477
University of Maryland Eastern Shore $5,637
Bowie State University $5,874
Frostburg State University $6,974
Towson University $7,238
University of Baltimore $7,296
University of Maryland Global Campus $7,488
Salisbury University $7,556
University of Maryland, Baltimore County $9,056

Coppin State University $6,316
Salisbury University $7,842
Morgan State University $8,190
Frostburg State University $8,208
Bowie State University $8,236
University of Maryland Eastern Shore $8,304
Towson University $8,676
University of Maryland Global Campus $9,252
University of Maryland, Baltimore County $12,582
University of Baltimore $14,382

Key Takeaways

The university system of Maryland is home to a few of the most affordable colleges in the US. Undergraduate and graduate students can still expect high-quality education from these institutions.
The average tuition cost for Maryland’s most cost-effective institutions is $9,000 per year. The cheapest school on the list is Coppin State University, with an average tuition fee of $7,000 per year.
Students in Maryland have access to a variety of educational alternatives. You have several good on-campus and online options in the state, whether you are a high school senior now in college for the first time or an undergraduate wishing to enroll in a graduate program.

Table of Contents

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: Home to Affordable Colleges

When it comes to the higher education and business scene, Maryland is one of the go-to places in the United States. From world-renowned universities, such as John Hopkins University, to the cheapest college, Coppin State University, college-bound students in Maryland are sure to have a high-quality education.

However, despite having several options for affordable colleges, students are still most likely to hunt for financial aid opportunities. Luckily, colleges in Maryland offer various financial aid opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

Average Cost of Colleges in Maryland

In general, the average tuition fee for colleges in Maryland is $16,000. The most affordable colleges, on the other hand, have an average of $9,000.

There are various factors affecting the cost of a degree in Maryland. Residents, however, should expect to pay in-state tuition. Out-of-state students should expect to pay high tuition fees.

Applying for Financial Aid in Maryland

Apply for admission to an accredited institution

To be eligible for financial help, you must apply for and be accepted into a program at a university or college. You might need to provide transcripts from high school or college, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and your application, depending on the institution and the program.

Register on the FAFSA website

Register for a Free Application for Federal Student Aid as you apply to a school. During the registration process, you will enter a few personal facts, such as your name and age.

Fill out the application form

You must complete the FAFSA form after registering. Depending on your citizenship status, this form typically demands information like your social security number or alien registration number. You can also be asked for investment records and income tax statements depending on your income and job situation.

Apply for public scholarships and grants.

Maryland offers a wide range of student financial aid options. Fill out applications for the numerous scholarships and grants your school or other organizations offer. Be careful to explore every opportunity because the more programs you apply to, the higher your chances of receiving financial aid.

Highest-Paid Jobs in Maryland

Choosing a college major can be difficult, especially if you are not sure about what you want. Knowing the highest-paid jobs in Maryland can be helpful when selecting a major.

The top ten highest-paid jobs in Maryland, according to Zippia, are:

Consultant and Sales Representative
Executive Vice President of Sales
Vice President, Products and Marketing
Executive Vice President
Chief Medical Officer
President/Chief Executive Officer
Senior Practice Manager
Vice President, Product Management
President and Chief Technology Officer
President And General Manager

How do we determine Maryland's best affordable colleges and universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

There are 13 colleges and universities in Maryland with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Maryland is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2023

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

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Maryland’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024

10 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024

Key Takeaways

Colleges and Universities in Maryland

What are Maryland’s Colleges & Universities?

Maryland: Home to Affordable Colleges

Average Cost of Colleges in Maryland

Applying for Financial Aid in Maryland

Apply for admission to an accredited institution

Register on the FAFSA website

Fill out the application form

Apply for public scholarships and grants.

Highest-Paid Jobs in Maryland

Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland, College Park

Most Influential Alumni

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at University of Baltimore

Most Influential Alumni

University of Baltimore’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Towson University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Morgan State University

Most Influential Alumni

Morgan State University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Salisbury University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Bowie State University

Most Influential Alumni

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

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Frostburg State University

Most Influential Alumni

Frostburg State University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Coppin State University

Most Influential Alumni

Coppin State University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at University of Maryland Global Campus

Most Influential Alumni

Maryland’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest