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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Maryland

21 Colleges in the United States
$16,542 Avg Student Debt
$48,564 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Badge [Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Maryland

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools

1

Carroll Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in Maryland. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $23,320. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

2
Chesapeake College crest
Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

A rank of #2 makes Chesapeake College one of the best values for liberal arts. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. Students from in state pay about $4,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,611. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Hagerstown Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,548 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $25,177. Set against $11,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $20,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

College Of Southern Maryland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $29,862. Set against $9,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Allegany College Of Maryland came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. In-state tuition and fees average $4,940, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Allegany College Of Maryland earn a median of $27,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Harford Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $26,448. Set against $10,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Frederick Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $8,935 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $22,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
Cecil College crest
Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Cecil College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North East. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, with out-of-state students paying around $10,830. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,952 ten years after entry.

10

The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts 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, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,469 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $27,852 early in their careers. Set against $13,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11
Garrett College crest
Garrett College
McHenry, MD

Garrett College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of McHenry, Garrett College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $12,040. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Garrett College earn a median of $13,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Coppin State University placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $41,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $50,062. That is a strong return on a $41,868 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

13

Anne Arundel Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $25,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

14

Howard Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,599, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,200. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,042. That is a strong return on a $10,200 median debt.

15

Morgan State University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $32,512 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $39,699. That is a strong return on a $32,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

16

Baltimore City Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,850 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $41,120. That is a strong return on a $8,850 median debt.

17
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,478. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

18

Frostburg State University earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $28,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $32,889. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

19

Johns Hopkins University landed the #19 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $13,426. Liberal Arts graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $45,147 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

20

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,360 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $48,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland admits about 82% of applicants.

21

St Johns College Maryland landed the #21 spot for liberal arts value this year. St Johns College Maryland is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annapolis. Students from in state pay about $40,684 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from St Johns College Maryland generally make around $34,603. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. St Johns College Maryland admits about 55% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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