2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Maryland

1

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

Frederick Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Maryland. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,935. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $22,067 early in their careers. Set against $8,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Carroll Community College, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,320. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

3

Chesapeake College
Wye Mills, MD

A rank of #3 makes Chesapeake College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $29,611. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,469. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $27,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,469 median debt.

5

Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Coppin State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $41,868 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $50,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $41,868 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

6

Wor Wic Community College
Salisbury, MD

Wor Wic Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,763. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.

7

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $20,217 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

8

Baltimore City Community College
Baltimore, MD

Baltimore City Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,850 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $41,120 early in their careers. Set against $8,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, MD

Hagerstown Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, compared with $8,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,548. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $25,177. That is a strong return on a $11,548 median debt.

10

College Of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD

College Of Southern Maryland landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,456 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $29,862. That is a strong return on a $9,456 median debt.

11

Garrett College
McHenry, MD

Garrett College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of McHenry, Garrett College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $12,040. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,352. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $13,943. Set against $13,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

Harford Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,227. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $26,448. Set against $10,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.

14

Howard Community College
Columbia, MD

Howard Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Howard Community College is a large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $22,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,375 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $37,634 early in their careers. Set against $14,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Prince Georges Community College
Largo, MD

Prince Georges Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,499. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $31,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,499 median debt.

17

Allegany College Of Maryland
Cumberland, MD

Allegany College Of Maryland came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Allegany College Of Maryland is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cumberland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, with out-of-state students paying around $12,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,512 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $39,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.

19

Washington Adventist University
Takoma Park, MD

Washington Adventist University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,604 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $47,033 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Washington Adventist University earn a median of $85,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

20

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $32,889. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

21

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $25,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $38,478. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

23

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $50,370. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,426. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

25

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland
Baltimore, MD

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,360. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $48,819 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland admits about 82% of applicants.