Choosing the Best School for You
Our analysis looked at 19 schools in Maryland to determine which ones have the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a bachelor's degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their bachelor's so we factor that into our rankings as well.
When attending a school in Maryland, bachelor's degree students accumulate an average of $26,517 in student debt before graduation.
The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
Our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools considers other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
Are you more interested in the top bachelor's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in Maryland
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
1,847
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,996
Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,659
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found Johns Hopkins University to be the best school for bachelor’s degrees in Maryland in this year’s ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 1,847 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins is $41,996 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $16,659. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $599.
Learn More About Johns Hopkins University
8,838
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,303
Average Early-Career Earnings
$20,640
Average Student Debt
Out of the 19 bachelor’s degree schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - College Park landed the #2 spot on the list. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 8,838 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,303 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $20,640 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $391 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Read full report on University of Maryland - College Park
7,697
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,440
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,336
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Maryland Global Campus. The school came in at #3 in Maryland on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Located in Adelphi, Maryland, the large public school handed out 7,697 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $49,440 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $23,336.
Full University of Maryland Global Campus Report
2,725
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$37,924
Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,601
Average Student Debt
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Maryland - Baltimore County helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Maryland. UMBC is a public institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,725 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UMBC make an average of $37,924 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $21,601. This translates to an average monthly payment of $248 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Full University of Maryland - Baltimore County Report
4,791
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,257
Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,444
Average Student Debt
Out of the 19 bachelor’s degree schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, Towson University landed the #5 spot on the list. Towson, Maryland is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 4,791 students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Towson go into careers with an average salary of $38,257 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $21,444. Average monthly loan payments are around $292 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Learn More About Towson University
899
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,302
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,998
Average Student Debt
Loyola University Maryland landed the #6 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 899 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Loyola Maryland make an average of $41,302 a year. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,998 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $629 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Read full report on Loyola University Maryland
387
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$36,618
Average Early-Career Earnings
$22,908
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #7, St Mary’s College of Maryland did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. SMCM is a small public school situated in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. It awarded 387 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SMCM is $36,618 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $22,908. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $430.
Read full report on St Mary’s College of Maryland
485
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,159
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,743
Average Student Debt
Mount St Mary’s University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #8. Mount St Mary’s University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Emmitsburg, Maryland that handed out 485 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from The Mount make an average of $38,159 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,743 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $600 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.
Read full report on Mount St Mary’s University
1,887
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,045
Average Early-Career Earnings
$22,878
Average Student Debt
Salisbury University landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Salisbury University is a medium-sized public school located in Salisbury, Maryland that handed out 1,887 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury make an average of $40,045 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $22,878. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $380.
Learn More About Salisbury University
357
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$33,470
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,733
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #10, Washington College did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. Washington College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chestertown, Maryland. It awarded 357 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Washington College is $33,470 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $25,733 in student loans. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $790.
Read full report on Washington College
222
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$51,951
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,536
Average Student Debt
Notre Dame of Maryland University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Notre Dame of Maryland University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 222 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $51,951 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,536 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Notre Dame of Maryland University
484
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,813
Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,627
Average Student Debt
McDaniel College did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Westminster, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 484 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from McDaniel is $35,813 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $24,627 in student loans.
Learn More About McDaniel College
467
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$35,336
Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,638
Average Student Debt
University of Baltimore landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 467 students in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UB go into careers with an average salary of $35,336 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $28,638 in student loans.
Full University of Baltimore Report
801
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,386
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,930
Average Student Debt
Stevenson University did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #14. Stevenson is a private not-for-profit institution located in Owings Mills, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 801 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $40,386 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $26,930 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $610.
Full Stevenson University Report
1,077
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$34,229
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,009
Average Student Debt
Frostburg State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. Frostburg, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,077 students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State is $34,229 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,009. Average monthly loan payments are around $196 for a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Frostburg State University Report
882
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$39,539
Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,986
Average Student Debt
Bowie State University landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Bowie State University is located in Bowie, Maryland and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 882 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Bowie State University make an average of $39,539 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $28,986. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $196.
Full Bowie State University Report
1,138
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$40,199
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,946
Average Student Debt
Morgan State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. Morgan State is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,138 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $40,199 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $31,946 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $265.
Read full report on Morgan State University
336
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,034
Average Early-Career Earnings
$31,689
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #18, Coppin State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. Coppin is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 336 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Coppin make an average of $42,034 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $31,689 in student loans.
Learn More About Coppin State University
382
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$32,548
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,967
Average Student Debt
University of Maryland Eastern Shore did quite well in the 2024 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #19. This small public school is located in Princess Anne, Maryland, and it awarded 382 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UMES go into careers with an average salary of $32,548 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,967 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $252.
Learn More About University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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