College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Maryland

11 Colleges in the United States
$20,409 Avg Student Debt
$58,849 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Education Badge [General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Maryland

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Education Schools

1

Hagerstown Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in Maryland. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $15,126. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,478. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Harford Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Students borrow a median of $16,804 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,239. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

5

Frostburg State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $56,800. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

6
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,722. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

7
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,377. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8
St Marys College Of Maryland crest
St Marys College Of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St Marys College Of Maryland placed #8 among the best values for general education. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,655. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. That is a strong return on a $22,655 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

9

Johns Hopkins University came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $63,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

10

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,360. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $63,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

11
Goucher College crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College placed #11 among the best values for general education. Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans. General Education graduates of Goucher College earn a median of $63,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

View All General Education Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options