2024 Best Grad Schools in Maryland for Master's Degrees
With all of the options you have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take when you want to pursue a grad degree. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Master's Degree Colleges in Maryland ranking.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of Grad School Matters
Our analysis looked at 18 grad schools in Maryland to determine which ones have the best master's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best grad schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Average Early-Career Salaries
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a master's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Student Loan Borrowing
Another factor that we look at to determine a school's ranking is the average debt load that graduate students take on while they are working on their master's degree.
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 Master'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.
To learn more, visit our graduate school ranking methodology page.
Custom Rankings
Are you more interested in the top master's degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. Also, you may want to check out our other
college rankings.
Thinking about continuing your education further? Check out our Best Doctorate Degree Schools ranking.
Top Master's Degree Schools in Maryland
Learn more about these excellent grad schools below:
6,960
Master's Degrees Awarded
$77,574
Average Early-Career Earnings
Our 2024 rankings named Johns Hopkins University the best grad school in Maryland in terms of overall quality for students working on their master’s degree. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 6,960 students in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Johns Hopkins make an average of $77,574 a year.
Full Johns Hopkins University Report
2,662
Master's Degrees Awarded
$65,247
Average Early-Career Earnings
The excellent master’s degree programs at University of Maryland - College Park helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Maryland. UMCP is located in College Park, Maryland and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,662 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from UMCP make an average of $65,247 a year.
Read full report on University of Maryland - College Park
730
Master's Degrees Awarded
$70,016
Average Early-Career Earnings
A rank of #3 on our Best Master’s Degree in Maryland list means University of Maryland - Baltimore County is a great place for students working on their degree. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 730 students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $70,016 during the early years of their career.
Full University of Maryland - Baltimore County Report
4,148
Master's Degrees Awarded
$72,667
Average Early-Career Earnings
A rank of #4 on our Best Master’s Degree in Maryland list means University of Maryland Global Campus is a great place for students working on their degree. UMGC is a public institution located in Adelphi, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,148 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from UMGC make an average of $72,667 a year.
Full University of Maryland Global Campus Report
989
Master's Degrees Awarded
$60,838
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Towson University. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. Towson is a public institution located in Towson, Maryland. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 989 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $60,838 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Towson University
695
Master's Degrees Awarded
$60,049
Average Early-Career Earnings
With a ranking of #6, Loyola University Maryland did quite well on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 695 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Loyola Maryland is $60,049 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Loyola University Maryland
222
Master's Degrees Awarded
$66,507
Average Early-Career Earnings
Stevenson University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. Located in Owings Mills, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 222 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Stevenson is $66,507 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Stevenson University
174
Master's Degrees Awarded
$51,931
Average Early-Career Earnings
Goucher College did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #8. Goucher is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 174 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a master’s degree from Goucher make an average of $51,931 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Goucher College Report
349
Master's Degrees Awarded
$46,774
Average Early-Career Earnings
Salisbury University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Salisbury is a medium-sized public school situated in Salisbury, Maryland. It awarded 349 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Salisbury make an average of $46,774 a year.
Learn More About Salisbury University
264
Master's Degrees Awarded
$59,637
Average Early-Career Earnings
Notre Dame of Maryland University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland list. NDMU is located in Baltimore, Maryland and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 264 master’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from NDMU is $59,637 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Notre Dame of Maryland University
228
Master's Degrees Awarded
$47,973
Average Early-Career Earnings
McDaniel College did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #11. Westminster, Maryland is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 228 students in 2020-2021.
Graduates with a master’s degree from McDaniel make an average of $47,973 per year during the early years of their career.
Full McDaniel College Report
201
Master's Degrees Awarded
$60,181
Average Early-Career Earnings
Hood College did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #12. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Frederick, Maryland, and it awarded 201 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a master’s degree from Hood go into careers with an average salary of $60,181 during the early years of their career.
Full Hood College Report
413
Master's Degrees Awarded
$56,524
Average Early-Career Earnings
University of Baltimore did quite well in the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking, coming in at #13. UB is a public institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 413 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from UB make an average of $56,524 a year.
Read full report on University of Baltimore
159
Master's Degrees Awarded
$52,753
Average Early-Career Earnings
Mount St Mary’s University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. The Mount is a private not-for-profit institution located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 159 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Those who receive a master’s degree from The Mount go into careers with an average salary of $52,753 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Mount St Mary’s University
244
Master's Degrees Awarded
$54,944
Average Early-Career Earnings
Frostburg State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Located in Frostburg, Maryland, the small public school handed out 244 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, master’s degree graduates from Frostburg State make an average of $54,944 a year.
Learn More About Frostburg State University
264
Master's Degrees Awarded
$51,515
Average Early-Career Earnings
Morgan State University landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the medium-sized public school handed out 264 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $51,515 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Morgan State University
267
Master's Degrees Awarded
$63,463
Average Early-Career Earnings
Bowie State University landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Located in Bowie, Maryland, the medium-sized public school awarded 267 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average salary of a graduate with a master’s degree from Bowie State University is $63,463 during the early years of their career.
Full Bowie State University Report
60
Master's Degrees Awarded
$46,623
Average Early-Career Earnings
Coppin State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Master’s Degree Schools in Maryland ranking. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the small public school awarded 60 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Upon graduation, master’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,623 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Coppin State University
Best Master's Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
View Best Master’s Degree Schools Nationwide >
More Rankings >
college factual
