Best colleges in Maryland

Think Big in This Small State

There’s plenty of room for you in Maryland

As one of the smaller states in the country, Maryland is also one of the most populated. Nicknamed “Little America”, its long history makes the state a hub of renowned, historical colleges and universities. Public and private campuses in Baltimore, College Park, Towson, Annapolis and across the state make up 55 colleges in total, including some of the oldest schools in the country and one of the most prominent military academies in the U.S.* Maryland not only nabbed a top spot as one of the “greenest states” in the country but also one of the wealthiest.* With bustling city centers in Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. areas, Maryland also has the lowest poverty rate, 7.8%, in the country, and an unemployment rate close to the national average.*

Maryland’s close proximity to Washington D.C. makes it a major hub for government and military opportunities, including technical and admin positions, defense and aerospace industries and bio-research firms. However, it also gives you close access to all the historical, and mostly free, attractions in our nation’s capital. If history isn’t your thing, touch into your outdoorsy side with a hike at Oregon Ridge Park or spend some time at the beach at Calvert Cliffs State Park. Or continue learning at the National Aquarium in Baltimore or the Maryland Science Center. And when you feel like being loud, go cheer on the 2013 Superbowl Champions, the Baltimore Ravens. Join the other 5.9 million Marylanders and see what’s so great about Little America.

Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US*Bureau of Labor Statistics *Wikipedia, “Maryland”, “List of colleges and universities in Maryland” *www.proximityone.com/stmhi0910.htm *www.forbes.com

Best Four Year Universities in Maryland

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University offers 446 degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 12,133 students graduated with students earning 8,780 Master's degrees, 1,423 Bachelor's degrees, 987 Certificates, and 943 Doctoral degrees.

The University of Maryland is a public university founded in 1856 and is the largest university in the state with over 40,000 students. Located in suburban College Park just south of downtown Baltimore, Maryland, this school has over 120 departments and 112 different graduate programs with an emphasis on research activity and community-based learning. The University of Maryland is known for its red-brick Georgian campus architecture and the iconic McKeldin Mall reflection pool.

The University of Maryland has a range of reputable academic programs in fields such as public policy, engineering, and business, and Maryland residents receive in-state tuition at a much lower rate than applicants from out-of-state. On-campus, the University of Maryland Office of Sustainability operates The Chesapeake Project, a program that encourages the integration of sustainability education into existing curriculums across disciplines. This project has led University of Maryland students to participate in environmentally-conscious competitions such as the Solar Decathlon and to inform the university’s Climate Action Plan. 

Outside of academics, the University of Maryland athletic teams, represented by their campus mascot Testudo the Terrapin, compete in the ACC with an annual football rivalry with the University of Virginia at XFINITY Center. Notable alumni include former Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, U.S. Men’s National Team keeper Zack Steffen, and comedian Larry David.

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United States Naval Academy offers 32 degree programs. It's a small, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,029 students graduated with students earning 1,029 Bachelor's degrees.

St. John's College
Annapolis, MD

St. John's College offers 3 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 117 students graduated with students earning 91 Bachelor's degrees, and 26 Master's degrees.

Washington College
Chestertown, MD

Washington College offers 33 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2023, 217 students graduated with students earning 217 Bachelor's degrees.

Loyola University Maryland offers 95 degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 1,472 students graduated with students earning 880 Bachelor's degrees, 563 Master's degrees, 19 Doctoral degrees, and 10 Certificates.

University of Maryland-Baltimore County offers 180 degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 3,592 students graduated with students earning 2,323 Bachelor's degrees, 1,000 Master's degrees, 169 Certificates, and 100 Doctoral degrees.

St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St. Mary's College of Maryland offers 29 degree programs. It's a small, public, four-year university in a outlying rural area. In 2023, 305 students graduated with students earning 291 Bachelor's degrees, and 14 Master's degrees.

Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College offers 68 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 398 students graduated with students earning 208 Bachelor's degrees, 127 Master's degrees, and 63 Certificates.

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University offers 193 degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 5,203 students graduated with students earning 4,050 Bachelor's degrees, 844 Master's degrees, 259 Certificates, and 50 Doctoral degrees.

Best Community Colleges in Maryland

Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia offers 8 degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2023, 527 students graduated with students earning 506 Certificates, and 21 Associate's degrees.

Allegany College of Maryland offers 68 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a remote town. In 2023, 534 students graduated with students earning 452 Associate's degrees, and 82 Certificates.

Fortis College-Landover offers 6 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 285 students graduated with students earning 239 Certificates, and 46 Associate's degrees.

College of Southern Maryland offers 77 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area. In 2023, 1,359 students graduated with students earning 831 Associate's degrees, and 528 Certificates.

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College offers 169 degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a small city. In 2023, 2,617 students graduated with students earning 2,565 Associate's degrees, and 52 Certificates.

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College offers 53 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying town. In 2023, 508 students graduated with students earning 468 Associate's degrees, and 40 Certificates.

Harford Community College offers 68 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area. In 2023, 837 students graduated with students earning 822 Associate's degrees, and 15 Certificates.

Hagerstown Community College offers 71 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a midsize suburb. In 2023, 582 students graduated with students earning 543 Associate's degrees, and 39 Certificates.

Frederick Community College offers 143 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a small city. In 2023, 821 students graduated with students earning 807 Associate's degrees, and 14 Certificates.

Prince George's Community College offers 76 degree programs. It's a large, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,292 students graduated with students earning 1,249 Associate's degrees, and 43 Certificates.

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List of all colleges in Maryland

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
Johns Hopkins University Logo Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
5/5
21 : 1 30,362
University of Maryland-College Park Logo University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD
3/5
21 : 1 40,813
United States Naval Academy Logo United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD   14 : 1 4,465
St. John's College Logo St. John's College Annapolis, MD
5/5
9 : 1 578
Washington College Logo Washington College Chestertown, MD
5/5
9 : 1 916