Maryland is home to more than 50 accredited colleges and universities, ranging from world-class research institutions to small liberal arts schools and 16 community colleges spread across every region of the state. Whether you’re looking for a four-year degree, an affordable two-year program, or a specialized institution, the state has options at virtually every price point and academic focus.
Public Universities
The University System of Maryland anchors the state’s public higher education. The University of Maryland, College Park is the flagship campus and the state’s largest university, consistently ranked among the top public institutions nationally. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has built a strong reputation in STEM fields and undergraduate research. Other public four-year options include Towson University, Salisbury University, Frostburg State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland, located on the southern tip of the state, operates as the state’s public honors college, offering a liberal arts experience at public-school tuition. Morgan State University, a public research university in Baltimore, is also one of Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In total, the state has four HBCUs: Morgan State, Bowie State, Coppin State, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Private Colleges and Universities
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is the most prominent private institution in the state, ranked at the top of Maryland colleges by U.S. News and widely recognized for its medical school, public health program, and research output. The Peabody Institute, one of the country’s top music conservatories, operates as a division of Johns Hopkins.
Beyond Hopkins, Maryland has a deep bench of private nonprofit schools. Loyola University Maryland and Notre Dame of Maryland University sit along North Charles Street in Baltimore. Goucher College, also in the Baltimore area, is a small liberal arts school known for study-abroad requirements. McDaniel College in Westminster and Hood College in Frederick offer liberal arts programs in smaller-town settings. Washington College, located on the Eastern Shore in Chestertown, is one of the oldest colleges in the country.
For students with more specialized interests, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is a top-ranked art and design school in Baltimore. Capitol Technology University in Laurel focuses on engineering, cybersecurity, and technology fields. Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg is a Catholic liberal arts university near the Pennsylvania border. St. John’s College in Annapolis is known for its distinctive “Great Books” curriculum, where students study classic texts rather than choosing traditional majors. Stevenson University, Washington Adventist University, and Lancaster Bible College round out the private four-year options.
The U.S. Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis is one of five federal military service academies. Midshipmen pay no tuition, and the academy covers room, board, and medical and dental care, plus a monthly stipend for books, uniforms, and personal expenses. In return, graduates commit to five years of active duty service followed by two years in the Reserves. Admission requires a Congressional nomination and is highly competitive. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and meet specific physical and academic requirements.
Community Colleges
Maryland’s 16 community colleges serve every part of the state and offer associate degrees, workforce certifications, and transfer pathways to four-year institutions. In-county tuition for Fall 2025 ranges from $99 per credit hour at Garrett College to $144 per credit hour at Carroll Community College, Harford Community College, and Howard Community College. A full-time student taking 30 credits a year would pay roughly $3,000 to $4,300 in tuition before financial aid.
The 16 community colleges are: Allegany College of Maryland, Anne Arundel Community College, Baltimore City Community College, Community College of Baltimore County, Carroll Community College, Cecil College, Chesapeake College, College of Southern Maryland, Frederick Community College, Garrett College, Hagerstown Community College, Harford Community College, Howard Community College, Montgomery College, Prince George’s Community College, and Wor-Wic Community College.
Several of these colleges serve multi-county regions. Chesapeake College, for example, covers five counties on the Eastern Shore. Baltimore City Community College charges the same rate for all Maryland residents regardless of county. Most other colleges charge higher per-credit rates for out-of-county and out-of-state students.
State Financial Aid Programs
Maryland offers several state-funded grants and scholarships through the Maryland Higher Education Commission that can significantly reduce costs at in-state schools. The Guaranteed Access Grant covers 100 percent of financial need for the first two years for the state’s most financially disadvantaged students. The Educational Assistance Grant is a broader need-based award for students at two-year and four-year institutions.
The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a “last-dollar” award, meaning it covers remaining tuition after federal and other aid has been applied. For students who start at a community college and transfer, the 2+2 Transfer Scholarship provides additional support at four-year schools. Part-time students have their own grant program, and graduate students can apply for the Graduate and Professional Scholarship Program.
Students planning careers in high-demand fields should look at the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant, which targets fields like nursing, teaching, child care, social work, and public service. The Teaching Fellows for Maryland Scholarship specifically supports future public school teachers who commit to working in high-need schools. Maryland legislators also award Legislative Scholarships to residents in their districts, so contacting your state senator or delegate’s office is worth the effort.
Choosing by Location and Focus
Baltimore is the state’s higher education hub, with Johns Hopkins, UMBC, Loyola, MICA, Goucher, Stevenson, Morgan State, Coppin State, Notre Dame of Maryland, and several other institutions clustered in and around the city. The College Park and D.C. suburbs area includes the University of Maryland flagship, Bowie State, and Capitol Technology University, with easy access to federal agencies and D.C.-area employers for internships.
Western Maryland offers a different experience. Frostburg State and Allegany College of Maryland sit in the Appalachian region, while Mount St. Mary’s and Hood College are in the Frederick area. On the Eastern Shore, Salisbury University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Chesapeake College, and Wor-Wic serve students in a more rural setting. Southern Maryland is covered by the College of Southern Maryland and St. Mary’s College of Maryland, both near the Chesapeake Bay.