by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Maryland? We have ranked 35 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 35 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 35 schools in Maryland to determine which deliver the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. See the full methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Frederick Community College, our #1 best value in Maryland. Set in Frederick, MD, Frederick Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $10,778. Median earnings reach $46,449 ten years out. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in Maryland. Located in Westminster, MD, Carroll Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,349. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College came in at #3 on this year's best-value ranking in Maryland. This public school is set in Rockville, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Montgomery College students take on a median of $11,230 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,159. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #4 place in Maryland. Located in Baltimore, MD, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,729. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Out of the 35 schools in Maryland in this year's value ranking, Chesapeake College landed the #5 spot. Set in Wye Mills, MD, Chesapeake College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Chesapeake College students take on a median of $8,380 in debt. Chesapeake College alumni report median earnings of $36,301 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,380 median debt.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Wor Wic Community College is a public school based in Salisbury, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,840, compared with $8,400 for out-of-state students. Wor Wic Community College students take on a median of $13,995 in debt. Median earnings reach $36,748 ten years out. Set against $13,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coppin State University landed the #7 spot for value in Maryland this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Coppin State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,024. Typical student debt is $33,355. Coppin State University alumni report median earnings of $46,490 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $33,355 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Hagerstown Community College landed the #8 spot for value in Maryland this year. Located in Hagerstown, MD, Hagerstown Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. The median program debt is $15,126. Median earnings reach $41,615 ten years out. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Maryland placed #9 among the best values in Maryland. Based in La Plata, MD, College Of Southern Maryland is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Students borrow a median of $9,728 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baltimore City Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, Baltimore City Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $7,394. Typical student debt is $11,202. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,025. Set against $11,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harford Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Bel Air, MD, Harford Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,608. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard Community College landed the #12 spot for value in Maryland this year. Based in Columbia, MD, Howard Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,599, compared with $10,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,115 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,020. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
Garrett College landed the #13 spot for value in Maryland this year. Based in McHenry, MD, Garrett College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $12,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $13,352. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,823 ten years after entry. Set against $13,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. The median program debt is $20,836. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Prince Georges Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Prince Georges Community College is a public school based in Largo, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Prince Georges Community College students take on a median of $13,949 in debt. Median earnings reach $47,548 ten years out. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cecil College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Based in North East, MD, Cecil College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,952.
Allegany College Of Maryland offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Allegany College Of Maryland is a public school based in Cumberland, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,940, while out-of-state students pay about $12,620. Allegany College Of Maryland students take on a median of $18,823 in debt. Allegany College Of Maryland alumni report median earnings of $38,476 a decade after entry. Set against $18,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland University College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,287 ten years after entry. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frostburg State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Frostburg State University is a public school based in Frostburg, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. The median program debt is $25,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,493 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Frostburg State University has an acceptance rate of 89%.
Salisbury University offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Salisbury University alumni report median earnings of $61,515 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University has an acceptance rate of 88%.
Towson University landed the #21 spot for value in Maryland this year. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,390 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Anne Arundel Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Anne Arundel Community College is a public school based in Arnold, MD. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt is $13,947. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public school based in Princess Anne, MD. Students from in state pay about $9,076 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. Students borrow a median of $26,996 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,697. Set against $26,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore admits about 96% of applicants.
Morgan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Morgan State University is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Students borrow a median of $30,309 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Washington Adventist University placed #25 among the best values in Maryland. Based in Takoma Park, MD, Washington Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $26,604. Typical student debt is $47,033. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 46% of those who apply are admitted.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 35 schools evaluated. References
See our data sources and methodologies.