College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Maryland

20 Colleges
$70,371 Avg Salary*
58% Avg Grad Rate*
2026 Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges Quality Badge With all of the college options in Maryland, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **20** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.

To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 20 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Top 25 Colleges in Maryland

Explore the leading colleges below:

1

Our analysis found University Of Maryland College Park to be the best college in Maryland. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,901. Typical student debt is $20,836.

2

Out of the 20 colleges in Maryland in this year's ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #2 spot. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Johns Hopkins University graduates report median early-career earnings of $84,850. Typical student debt is $13,426.

3

You'll be in good company at University Of Maryland Baltimore, which ranked #3 this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $13,638, compared with $44,811 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $85,300 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.

4
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Maryland. Based in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $50,370. Graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans.

5

Out of the 20 colleges in Maryland in this year's ranking, University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #5 spot. Set in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. University Of Maryland Baltimore County posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,179. Typical student debt is $21,331.

6

Loyola University Baltimore ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,150. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,021 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,000.

7
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. Salisbury University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Salisbury University graduates report median early-career earnings of $45,476. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete a degree here.

8
Stevenson University crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Owings Mills, MD, Stevenson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stevenson University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,346. Stevenson University students take on a median of $27,042 in debt.

9

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Students from in state pay about $43,360 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $72,647. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.

10

Mount St Marys University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Emmitsburg, MD, Mount St Marys University is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount St Marys University graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,630. Mount St Marys University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,657. Graduates carry a median of $23,539 in student loans.

11
St Marys College Of Maryland crest
St Marys College Of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #11 spot in Maryland this year. This public school is set in St. Mary's City, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,665 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete a degree here.

12
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Westminster, MD. About 63% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,081. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,904. Graduates carry a median of $23,247 in student loans.

13
Washington College crest
Washington College
Chestertown, MD

Washington College placed #13 among the best colleges in Maryland. Washington College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestertown, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $55,081 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $37,940. Students borrow a median of $26,651 to complete a degree here.

14

University Of Maryland University College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Based in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Early-career graduates earn a median of $65,890. University Of Maryland University College students take on a median of $23,276 in debt.

15

Frostburg State University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Frostburg, MD, Frostburg State University is a public institution. Frostburg State University graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Median early-career earnings reach $42,798. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete a degree here.

16
Hood College crest
Hood College
Frederick, MD

Hood College landed the #16 spot in Maryland this year. Based in Frederick, MD, Hood College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,700. Hood College graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,332. Hood College students take on a median of $24,703 in debt.

17

University Of Baltimore came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Baltimore is a public institution. University Of Baltimore posts a six-year graduation rate of 38%. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. University Of Baltimore graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,837. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete a degree here.

18

Maryland Institute College Of Art landed the #18 spot in Maryland this year. Set in Baltimore, MD, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,800. Early-career graduates earn a median of $37,067. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.

19
Capitol College crest
Capitol College
Laurel, MD

Capitol College landed the #19 spot in Maryland this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Laurel, MD. Capitol College graduates 43% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,592. Capitol College graduates report median early-career earnings of $77,059. Graduates carry a median of $26,790 in student loans.

20

Bowie State University landed the #20 spot in Maryland this year. Bowie State University is a public school based in Bowie, MD. Bowie State University graduates 38% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,668 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $28,474.

21
Goucher College crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College placed #21 among the best colleges in Maryland. Based in Baltimore, MD, Goucher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Goucher College graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,350. Median early-career earnings reach $43,670. Students borrow a median of $25,406 to complete a degree here.

22

St Johns College Maryland ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Annapolis, MD, St Johns College Maryland is a private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $40,684 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $34,603. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.

23

Washington Adventist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Takoma Park, MD, Washington Adventist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $26,604. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $85,352. The median student debt is $47,033.

24

Morgan State University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Baltimore, MD, Morgan State University is a public institution. Morgan State University graduates 41% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Morgan State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,736. Typical student debt is $30,309.

25

Coppin State University landed the #25 spot in Maryland this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Coppin State University is a public institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,024. Coppin State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,062. Students borrow a median of $33,355 to complete a degree here.

Rest of the Top 20% Best Colleges in Maryland

Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28

All Majors and Fields of Study >

More Rankings >

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

References

See our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options