2026 Best Value Value Schools in Maryland

[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Maryland
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland University College the best value for a degree in value in Maryland. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,200. Value graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $74,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Anne Arundel Community College, which ranked #2. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,947. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salisbury University earned it the #3 place for value. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,545. Value graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot 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. Value graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $52,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Baltimore is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,681. Value graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $58,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Stevenson University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,560. Value graduates carry a median of $27,042 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $62,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Baltimore ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,150. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Loyola University Baltimore generally make around $54,021. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Loyola University Baltimore admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.