2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Maryland

[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Our analysis ranked Carroll Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Maryland. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $23,320 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Chesapeake College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Hagerstown Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Students borrow a median of $11,548 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $25,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,499 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Maryland came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Harford Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,227. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allegany College Of Maryland earned the #8 position 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, compared with $12,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Allegany College Of Maryland earn a median of $27,637 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wor Wic Community College generally make around $30,763. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Frederick Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Frederick Community College is a large public school located in the city of Frederick. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $8,935 median debt.
Cecil College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,830. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years out.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Students borrow a median of $13,469 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $27,852. Set against $13,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Garrett College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Garrett College is a small public school located in the rural area of McHenry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $12,040. Students borrow a median of $13,352 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Garrett College earn a median of $13,943 early in their careers. Set against $13,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anne Arundel Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $25,826 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coppin State University came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $41,868. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Coppin State University generally make around $50,062. Set against $41,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Howard Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,200 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Morgan State University landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $32,512. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $39,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Baltimore City Community College earned the #18 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Students borrow a median of $8,850 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $41,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frostburg State University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $28,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,889. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Salisbury University landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $38,478 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,147. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $37,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Johns College Maryland placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from St Johns College Maryland generally make around $34,603. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.