Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN MARYLAND

Published: Jan 4, 2022
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Maryland ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Top 10 Online Colleges in Maryland

University of Baltimore
Morgan State University
Frostburg State University
Capitol Technology University
Coppin State University
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Stevenson University

Morgan State University
University of Baltimore
Frostburg State University
Coppin State University
Stevenson University
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Capitol Technology University

University of Baltimore 89%
Frostburg State University 88%
Morgan State University 85%
Stevenson University 84%
Notre Dame of Maryland University 70%
Capitol Technology University 64%
Coppin State University 45%

Morgan State University 17 to 1
Stevenson University 15 to 1
Frostburg State University 12 to 1
Coppin State University 10 to 1
University of Baltimore 10 to 1
Capitol Technology University 9 to 1
Notre Dame of Maryland University 8 to 1

Notre Dame of Maryland University $40,730
Stevenson University $38,738
Capitol Technology University $27,004
University of Baltimore $7,296
Frostburg State University $6,974
Morgan State University $5,477
Coppin State University $4,836

University of Baltimore $14,382
Notre Dame of Maryland University $11,889
Capitol Technology University $11,340
Stevenson University $8,340
Frostburg State University $8,208
Morgan State University $8,190
Coppin State University $6,316

Stevenson University
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Coppin State University
Capitol Technology University
Frostburg State University
Morgan State University
University of Baltimore

Capitol Technology University
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Stevenson University
Coppin State University
Frostburg State University
University of Baltimore
Morgan State University

Coppin State University 45%
Capitol Technology University 64%
Notre Dame of Maryland University 70%
Stevenson University 84%
Morgan State University 85%
Frostburg State University 88%
University of Baltimore 89%

Notre Dame of Maryland University 8 to 1
Capitol Technology University 9 to 1
Coppin State University 10 to 1
University of Baltimore 10 to 1
Frostburg State University 12 to 1
Stevenson University 15 to 1
Morgan State University 17 to 1

Coppin State University $4,836
Morgan State University $5,477
Frostburg State University $6,974
University of Baltimore $7,296
Capitol Technology University $27,004
Stevenson University $38,738
Notre Dame of Maryland University $40,730

Coppin State University $6,316
Morgan State University $8,190
Frostburg State University $8,208
Stevenson University $8,340
Capitol Technology University $11,340
Notre Dame of Maryland University $11,889
University of Baltimore $14,382

Key Takeaways

Maryland offers in-state and out-of-state students a perfect balance between education and cultural heritage, making the state a haven for history aficionados.
The state boasts more than 100 higher education institutions, including private, public, and non-profit colleges and universities.
Maryland is home to Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland-University College, two of the most prominent research universities in the U.S. and worldwide.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Out-of-State Students in Maryland

Did you know that Maryland’s college educational attainment rate is among the country’s highest at 40%?

That’s right! However, as out-of-state tuition rates dictate, aspiring students in any of the best online colleges in Maryland with no proof of residency will pay higher tuition and other fees.

Thanks to Maryland’s membership in the SREB or the Southern Regional Education Board, students from certain states pursuing particular academic programs can also enroll and pay in-tuition fees.

Apart from Maryland, the SREB member states include West Virginia, Virginia, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Delaware, Arkansas, and Alabama.

SREB’s Academic Common Market is one of the most significant programs to help students save on tuition expenses. Students of traditional and online programs must reside in one of the member states to participate in the ACM program.

Students enrolled in a college or university that doesn’t offer their preferred academic program can pay in-state tuition to complete their degrees at a participating school, even if the college is in another member state.

While SREB pre-approves 1,900+ academic degrees, prospective students can enroll in any in-person and online schools they prefer, except for professional degrees such as medicine and law.

The ACM permits students to participate and complete their coursework on-campus or through some of the best online colleges and universities in Maryland.

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

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

How do we determine the best online colleges for undergrads?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2023

#1
University of Baltimore
Baltimore , MD
#20 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
33%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Baltimore
Cost of Degree: $9,506
Starting Salary: $63,400
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration

Concentrations

General Business
Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BA in Policy, Politics and International Affairs

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
Morgan State University
Baltimore , MD
#4 HBCU Doctoral Programs Online #9 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #18 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #4 Best Research Universities in Maryland 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
46%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
970/18
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
Online Degrees
BS in Applied Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Cloud Computing

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Frostburg State University
Frostburg , MD
#7 Best Small Colleges in Maryland 2024 #10 Best Grad Schools in Maryland 2024 #10 Best Public Colleges in Maryland 2024 #10 Most Affordable 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: $9,804
Expenses: $16,696
Starting Salary: $47,200
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#4
Capitol Technology University
Laurel , MD
#2 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity in Maryland #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024 #6 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs #9 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
55%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Capitol Technology University
Cost of Degree: $27,004
Expenses: $17,616
Starting Salary: $68,100
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Construction Information Technology and Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Construction Management and Critical Infrastructure

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Construction Safety

Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Counterterrorism

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Facilities Management and Critical Infrastructure

Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Professional Trades Administration

Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#5
Coppin State University
Baltimore , MD
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
45%
Graduation
24%
Student body
2K
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
Online Degrees
BS in Business Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#6
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore , MD
#4 Best Christian Colleges in Maryland 2024 #10 Best Private 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: $40,730
Expenses: $20,150
Starting Salary: $56,400
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BA in Business

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 5 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn

Required Credits: 120 overall
Completion time: 15-18 months
Format: Online
Compare school
#7
Stevenson University
Owings Mills , MD
#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
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
65%
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
Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Business Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Computer Information Systems

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Legal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Professional Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school

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Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Maryland

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Out-of-State Students in Maryland

Colleges and Universities in Maryland

What are Maryland’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Colleges in Maryland 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of Baltimore

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Morgan State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Frostburg State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Capitol Technology University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Coppin State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Notre Dame of Maryland University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Stevenson University

Online Degrees