2026 Best Colleges in Maryland

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Maryland. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $84,850. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.

2

University Of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

You'll be in good company at University Of Maryland Baltimore, which ranked #2 this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public school based in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $13,638, with out-of-state students paying around $44,811. Median early-career earnings reach $85,300. The median student debt is $21,500.

3

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

The strong outcomes at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #3 place in Maryland. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,901. Typical student debt is $20,836.

4

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The strong outcomes at University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned it the #4 place in Maryland. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $49,179. The median student debt is $21,331.

5

Towson University
Towson, MD

The strong outcomes at Towson University earned it the #5 place in Maryland. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Towson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,370. Typical student debt is $21,241.

6

Loyola University Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Loyola University Baltimore came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Loyola University Baltimore is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Loyola University Baltimore graduates report median early-career earnings of $54,021. Typical student debt is $27,000.

7

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University is a public institution. Salisbury University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,476. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete a degree here.

8

Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Owings Mills, MD, Stevenson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,346 early in their careers. Stevenson University students take on a median of $27,042 in debt.

9

Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Westminster, MD. Mcdaniel College graduates 63% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,081. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,904. Typical student debt is $23,247.

10

Mount St Marys University
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Marys University placed #10 among the best colleges in Maryland. This private not-for-profit school is set in Emmitsburg, MD. About 65% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,630. Mount St Marys University graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,657. Mount St Marys University students take on a median of $23,539 in debt.

11

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland
Baltimore, MD

College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland landed the #11 spot in Maryland this year. College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. About 50% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $43,360 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $72,647. The median student debt is $27,000.

12

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

St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #12 spot in Maryland this year. Based in St. Mary's City, MD, St Marys College Of Maryland is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, compared with $31,374 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,665. The median student debt is $22,655.

13

Hood College
Frederick, MD

Hood College landed the #13 spot in Maryland this year. Set in Frederick, MD, Hood College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $47,700 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $59,332. Students borrow a median of $24,703 to complete a degree here.

14

Washington College
Chestertown, MD

Washington College placed #14 among the best colleges in Maryland. Located in Chestertown, MD, Washington College is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington College posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $55,081 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $37,940. Typical student debt is $26,651.

15

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located 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 run about $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,890. Graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans.

16

Capitol College
Laurel, MD

Capitol College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Laurel, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $27,592. Graduates go on to earn a median of $77,059 early in their careers. Capitol College students take on a median of $26,790 in debt.

17

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Frostburg State University is a public school based in Frostburg, MD. Frostburg State University graduates 50% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,340.

18

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Baltimore, MD, University Of Baltimore is a public institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,837. University Of Baltimore students take on a median of $29,681 in debt.

19

Goucher College
Baltimore, MD

Goucher College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, Goucher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,670 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $25,406 in student loans.

20

Maryland Institute College Of Art
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College Of Art did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Baltimore, MD, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a private not-for-profit institution. Maryland Institute College Of Art posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,800. Median early-career earnings reach $37,067. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete a degree here.

21

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. 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. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $59,894. Typical student debt is $13,947.

22

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. 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 graduates report median early-career earnings of $24,833. Typical student debt is $11,230.

23

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

Frederick Community College placed #23 among the best colleges 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. Median early-career earnings reach $43,733. Graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans.

24

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #24 among the best colleges 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. Median early-career earnings reach $52,440. Graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans.

25

Prince Georges Community College
Largo, MD

Prince Georges Community College did well this year, earning the #25 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,960. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete a degree here.