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2024 Best Colleges in Maryland

36 Colleges
$52,818 Avg Salary*
54% Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*

It's not easy to decide which college to attend when you have so many options available. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our Top Maryland Colleges ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

We analyzed 36 colleges and universities across Maryland to determine which were the best in terms of overall quality. Our ranking is based on over 20 objective factors, including post graduate earnings, freshman retention, and graduation rate. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another.

Get more details on our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

We've developed a number of other tools and rankings to help you make your college decision. Start by filtering this list by location or field of study and then explore our other rankings that feature schools great for different groups of students such as veterans or returnings adults.

Associate Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Bachelor's Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Master's Degree Rankings Grad School Rankings
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We've created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you're torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another!

Top Colleges in Maryland

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
Johns Hopkins crest
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland

Our 2024 rankings named Johns Hopkins University the best school in Maryland in terms of overall quality for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10,486 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergradutates.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty rate of 6 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $83,287 during the early years of their career..

Read full report on Johns Hopkins University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Maryland - College Park. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland list. Located in College Park, Maryland, the large public school handed out 12,417 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UMCP go into careers with an average salary of $71,837 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Maryland Global Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland list. Located in Adelphi, Maryland, the large public school handed out 15,422 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% During the early years of their career, graduates from UMGC make an average of $55,598 a year.

Read full report on University of Maryland Global Campus

4

Out of the 36 schools in Maryland that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - Baltimore County landed the #4 spot on the list. UMBC is a public institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,893 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UMBC make an average of $61,751 per year during the early years of their career.

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5
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, Maryland

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Montgomery College. The school came in at #5 in Maryland on this year’s overall quality ranking. Located in Rockville, Maryland, the fairly large public school awarded 3,110 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, graduates from Montgomery College make an average of $47,312 a year.

Read full report on Montgomery College

6
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, Maryland

Towson University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. Towson is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6,027 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Towson go into careers with an average salary of $57,866 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Towson University

7
HCC crest
Howard Community College
Columbia, Maryland

With a ranking of #7, Howard Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland list. This medium-sized public school is located in Columbia, Maryland, and it awarded 1,436 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from HCC is $43,989 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

8

Anne Arundel Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Colleges in Maryland list. Located in Arnold, Maryland, the fairly large public school awarded 2,547 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,701 during the early years of their career..

Read More…

9
Loyola Maryland crest
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland

Loyola University Maryland landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,614 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Maryland go into careers with an average salary of $75,663 during the early years of their career.

Full Loyola University Maryland Report

10
SMCM crest
St Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's City, Maryland

St Mary’s College of Maryland did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking, coming in at #10. SMCM is located in St. Mary’s City, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 408 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergradutates.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from SMCM go into careers with an average salary of $55,342 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

11
Salisbury crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, Maryland

With a ranking of #11, Salisbury University did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland list. This medium-sized public school is located in Salisbury, Maryland, and it awarded 2,277 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. During the early years of their career, graduates from Salisbury make an average of $53,388 a year.

Read full report on Salisbury University

12
Goucher crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, Maryland

Goucher College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 569 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. During the early years of their career, graduates from Goucher make an average of $48,027 a year.

Read full report on Goucher College

13

Notre Dame of Maryland University landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 600 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a student-to-faculty rate of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $50,974 during the early years of their career..

Full Notre Dame of Maryland University Report

14

Prince George’s Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. PGCC is located in Largo, Maryland and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,341 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergradutates.

During the early years of their career, graduates from PGCC make an average of $43,404 a year.

Full Prince George’s Community College Report

15

Community College of Baltimore County did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the fairly large public school handed out 2,934 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from CCBC go into careers with an average salary of $38,346 during the early years of their career.

Read More…

16
Washington College crest
Washington College
Chestertown, Maryland

With a ranking of #16, Washington College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland list.Chestertown, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 357 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Washington College is $64,846 during the early years of their career.

Full Washington College Report

17
The Mount crest
Mount St Mary's University
Emmitsburg, Maryland

Mount St Mary’s University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 683 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from The Mount make an average of $58,600 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Mount St Mary’s University

18
Frederick Community College crest
Frederick Community College
Frederick, Maryland

Frederick Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. Frederick Community College is a public institution located in Frederick, Maryland. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,050 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,674 during the early years of their career..

Read full report on Frederick Community College

19
McDaniel crest
McDaniel College
Westminster, Maryland

McDaniel College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Colleges in Maryland list. Located in Westminster, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 908 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1% Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $55,107 during the early years of their career..

Full McDaniel College Report

20
HCC crest
Hagerstown Community College
Hagerstown, Maryland

Hagerstown Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. Hagerstown Community College is a small public school located in Hagerstown, Maryland that handed out 801 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from HCC go into careers with an average salary of $36,904 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Hagerstown Community College

21

Baltimore City Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the small public school awarded 581 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, graduates from Baltimore City Community College make an average of $31,574 a year.

Read full report on Baltimore City Community College

22
Hood crest
Hood College
Frederick, Maryland

Hood College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. Hood is a private not-for-profit institution located in Frederick, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 572 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $51,779 during the early years of their career..

Read full report on Hood College

23
Stevenson crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, Maryland

Stevenson University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. Located in Owings Mills, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,023 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1% During the early years of their career, graduates from Stevenson make an average of $56,567 a year.

Read full report on Stevenson University

24
UB crest
University of Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland

University of Baltimore came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. UB is a public institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,205 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UB make an average of $58,128 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Baltimore

25

College of Southern Maryland came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges in Maryland ranking. CSM is a public institution located in La Plata, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,757 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from CSM make an average of $38,797 per year during the early years of their career.

Read full report on College of Southern Maryland

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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