Best Colleges in Maryland

Established in 1876, John Hopkins University is considered the first research university established in the United States. The institution features a flagship campus in Baltimore and satellite locations in the District of Columbia, Singapore, Italy, and China. John Hopkins oversees a competitive admissions process that requires undergraduate candidates to submit an official application, school reports, two teacher evaluations, and ACT/SAT scores. Prospective graduate students must usually possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. The university also provides generous financial aid, awarding over $100 million in scholarships and grants in 2018. Johns Hopkins offers bachelor's programs in topics such as space science and engineering, marketing and communication, and Africana studies. Students may pursue an entrepreneurship and management degree, focusing their studies on areas like business law and organizational behavior. Graduate offerings include master's degrees in applied physics, international public policy, and real estate and infrastructure. Candidates can also pursue a dual-degree track in nursing.

Frostburg State University opened in 1902 as a normal school designed to train teachers. Located in Western Maryland’s Appalachian highlands, FSU serves more than 5,600 students at the Frostburg campus, through the University of Maryland system, and in online and hybrid programs. Frostburg delivers 47 undergraduate majors in addition to 20 graduate degrees and certificates. These include an online RN-to-BSN program, four online master's programs, and two hybrid master’s degrees. The school’s online MBA includes seven-week courses that students can complete part or full time in as little as a year. FSU offers MS degrees in applied computer science as well as recreation, parks, and sport management. Nurses can complete four graduate nursing tracks completely or mostly online. Online classes include asynchronous and synchronous elements. Tuition rates differ according to residency, and admission criteria for graduate programs vary by program.

Established as a Catholic women’s college in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University provides undergraduate programs to women and graduate degree and certificate programs to men and women. NDMU’s schools of arts, sciences, and business; education; nursing; and pharmacy enroll more than 2,400 students each year. NDMU offers nine online programs: two bachelor’s degrees, five master’s degrees, one Ph.D. in higher education leadership, and one certificate in risk assessment. At the undergraduate level, students may study business or enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. Available master’s degrees include contemporary communications, gifted and talented education, TESOL, analytics, and risk management. Online students may access 24/7 technical support and on-campus tutoring services. Online tuition varies by program. NDMU typically accepts undergraduate applicants to online programs with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Graduate students may transfer up to six credits.

Located in Westminster, McDaniel College is a private liberal arts institution that serves about 2,800 students every semester. The school delivers degrees in 70 undergraduate areas of study and oversees 30 graduate programs. Prospective students undergo a selective but holistic evaluation process that considers their GPA, previous coursework, writing capability, and extracurricular interests and achievements. Financial aid packages may include legacy scholarships for children of McDanel graduates, children of educators, and military personnel and their families. Bachelor's degree-seekers can pursue majors like business administration, computer science, criminal justice, and classical civilizations. The biology program offers specializations in environmental studies and molecular biology, as well as a dual-major option with mathematics. Biology students also gain the skills needed to pursue pre-professional studies in dentistry, veterinary medicine, and the allied health fields. McDaniel also provides dual-degree programs that enable learners to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years. Options include human services management, gerontology, and secondary teaching. The college operates conventional graduate programs in areas like school librarianship and public administration.

Mount St. Mary's University supports about 2,400 students and boasts one of the highest job placement rate for graduates in Maryland. First-year applicants must submit high school transcripts and an academic recommendation. Candidates can also submit standardized test scores and a personal essay to bolster their application portfolio. Prospective graduate learners need a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA. The university charges affordable tuition prices based on program type. Financial aid opportunities includes merit scholarships for incoming students and need-based award for transfer candidates. The Mount offers traditional undergraduate programs in fields like forensic accounting, health sciences, sport management, and biochemistry. Students may also enroll in a dual-degree track that allows them to earn bachelor's credentials in both health sciences and nursing. Additionally, the university delivers flexible undergraduate options for working professionals. These programs operate accelerated classes that span 5-8 weeks. Graduate programming covers areas like instructional leadership, biotechnology and management, and health administration. Additional options include a master of business administration that candidates can complete in one or two years.

Founded in 1947 as the Catholic women’s school Villa Julie College, Stevenson University gained a new name and began admitting men in 1972. Today, the university enrolls more than 1,300 students, about 80% of whom are women. Stevenson offers online undergraduate programs, graduate degrees, and certificates. Registered nurses may complete their bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing online. Other available online undergraduate programs include legal studies, professional studies, and business administration. Stevenson delivers 12 master’s programs online, including degrees in forensics, education, and healthcare. Students with 60 credits may pursue combined bachelor’s-to-master’s programs online in 12 areas of study, including criminal justice and human services. Online degree applicants must submit a personal statement. Other admission requirements, such as a minimum GPA, vary by program. Stevenson does not charge separate fees for online classes.

Goucher College was established in 1885 as a women's academy. Today, the school offers several degrees to a coeducational student body. Prospective undergraduates can submit either the Common Application or a two-minute video application plus supplemental materials. Goucher operates a test-optional admissions process that lets candidates decide whether ACT/SAT scores accurately represent their academic potential. The school provides low tuition prices and 97% of incoming students receive financial aid. Goucher delivers undergraduate programs in fields like sociology, historic preservation, equine studies, and computer science. Bachelor's candidates may pursue a business management major, which offers concentrations in arts administration and international business. Graduate students can enroll in traditional two-year programs or opt for distance education and low-residency options. Students benefit from numerous experiential learning opportunities; for instance, some learners engage in summer science research with guidance from faculty mentors. Goucher also facilitates semester- and year-long study abroad trips in places such as Costa Rica (where students have examined the effects of globalization on the environment) and Russia (where they explored the language and regional cultures).

Based in Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University enrolls more than 1,000 students in 32 associate, bachelor's, and master's programs. The school bases tuition prices on program type but not residency status. All learners can apply for financial support, including institutional awards based on GPA and ACT/SAT performance. WAU also funds scholarships specifically for transfer candidates, music majors, and student athletes. At the undergraduate level, academic options include associate degrees for general studies and radiologic technology. Students can enroll in bachelor's programs like psychology, health/fitness management, and computer science. WAU also delivers an RN-to-BSN track that emphasizes leadership training and research practice. Master's candidates may pursue training in areas like clinical mental health counseling and public administration. WAU also oversees a 37-credit MBA program. To accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals, the university delivers accelerated degree completion tracks that only require students to attend class one night a week.

A historically black higher education institution, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is also a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The school's main campus in Princess Anne delivers 37 undergraduate tracks, 15 master's degrees, and eight doctoral programs. First-year candidates must submit an official application, high school transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores. They can strengthen their application portfolio by including recommendations and a 250-word personal essay. Prospective graduate students need a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees in fields like exercise science, urban forestry, engineering technology, and rehabilitation psychology. Students can also enroll in a four-year agriculture program, which comes with distinct tracks in plant and soil science, animal and poultry business technology, and pre-veterinary science. Undergraduate students may access a variety of research opportunities, including projects centered on food safety and wind energy. UMES delivers graduate programs in applied computer science, toxicology, and organizational leadership. Master's candidates can also earn a teaching degree that leads to initial state certification.

Based in Baltimore, Coppin State University is a member of the University System of Maryland. CSU hosts about 2,900 learners across 53 undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs. To enroll as a first-year student, candidates must submit an online application, official school transcripts, and ACT/SAT scores. The university operates a flexible transfer policy that allows students to apply up to 70 credits from community colleges and 90 credits from four-year institutions. Transfer applicants need a minimum 2.0 GPA. CSU delivers bachelor's programs in accounting, management information systems, and early childhood care. Students can also pursue a histotechnology degree that prepares them to detect and treat tissue abnormalities. The university provides three nursing tracks, including an accelerated track. Graduate degrees are available in topics such as substance abuse counseling, contemporary educational leadership, and criminal justice and law enforcement. Individuals may also enroll in a doctor of nursing practice program, which offers traditional, online, and hybrid learning formats. CSU delivers distance classes through Blackboard.

The University of Maryland, College Park serves more than 41,000 students, making it the largest higher education institution in the state. The school offers 92 undergraduate majors, 107 master's degrees, and 83 doctoral programs. First-year applicants need to demonstrate a A-/B+ grade average in a rigorous high school curriculum that includes IB/AP classes and at least two years of a foreign language. Graduate criteria differ by program, but typically consist of relevant professional experiences reflected through resume items and three recommendation letters. UMD provides undergraduate majors like behavioral and community health, human development, supply chain management, and environmental science. Bachelor's candidates may design their own major through the school's individual studies program. Graduate degrees cover fields like applied economics, veterinary medicine, and industrial/organizational psychology. The university also delivers a master of innovative technology entrepreneurship program that prepares students to launch and grow IT ventures. UMD delivers online learning through Canvas.

As a large online state university, University of Maryland Global Campus offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates to about 50,000 students throughout Maryland and at military facilities around the world. UMGC offers 60-credit online associate degrees in general studies to military-affiliated students that feature areas of specialization such as accounting, criminal justice, and psychology. Online undergraduates may select from more than 30 majors, including biotechnology, cybersecurity management, gerontology, and software development. Master’s degree offerings include cloud computing, data analytics, and teaching. UMGC also offers online doctorates in business administration and community college administration; students in these programs pay the same tuition rate regardless of residency. UMGC offers asynchronous classes that use no-cost digital materials and open educational resources. Online students may access tutoring, mentoring, and advising services.

Located outside Baltimore, Maryland less than one hour from Washington, D.C., Towson University serves nearly 23,000 students as part of the University of Maryland system. Towson’s seven colleges offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas such as business, education, and the health professions. Towson partners with community colleges across Maryland to provide a fully online bachelor’s degree in allied health. This program is the university’s only online undergraduate major and offers six tracks, including family studies and education. Towson also offers three fully online master’s degrees designed for working professionals. Towson’s instructional technology master’s offers three concentrations that allow students to select online or hybrid courses. Learners in the homeland security management program demonstrate their skills through a research capstone project. Experienced educators may access Towson’s educational leadership master’s program entirely online. Graduate school applicants must meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.

Salisbury University began in 1925 as a normal school to train teachers serving Maryland’s rural Eastern Shore. Today, SU enrolls more than 8,700 students in about 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six colleges and schools. SU students can access a variety of online and hybrid courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. SU offers several graduate programs fully online, including master’s degrees in business, social work, and geographic information systems management. MBA candidates can select from fully online, hybrid, and accelerated program options. MSW students may access hybrid courses at satellite locations and select field placements in their area. Graduate application requirements vary by program but typically include personal statements and letters of recommendation. SU charges a flat, per-credit tuition rate for online master’s programs.

St. Mary's College of Maryland was founded in 1840 and is one of two public honors colleges in the United States. The school supports about 1,600 students and operates 38 academic programs. First-year candidates must submit official school transcripts, two teacher recommendations, and ACT/SAT scores. Although optional, the admissions office strongly recommends that applicants complete personal interviews. St. Mary's charges tuition based on residency status, and the college offers a variety of financial aid opportunities. Graduates of St. Mary's possess the lowest average debt among all Maryland public four-year institutions. Degree-seekers can choose undergraduate majors such as public policy studies, computer science, anthropology, and mathematics. They can also personalize their curricula through complementary minors. For example, history students can focus a portion of their coursework on museum studies to prepare for careers as curators and archivists. Additionally, St. Mary's allows candidates to craft their own interdisciplinary major with the approval of two faculty members. The college prioritizes undergraduate research by providing grant funding and facilitating departmental projects.

Founded in 1865 as the first historically black university in Maryland, Bowie State University currently supports around 6,200 students. The institution delivers over 55 academic programs, including bachelor's tracks in sports management, fine arts, nursing, and computer technology. Candidates can enroll in a bioinformatics program to prepare for careers as portal engineers and clinical scientists. The university also awards a comprehensive bachelor of business administration; students can concentrate on subfields like economics, banking and finance, and entrepreneurship and small business management. At the graduate level, BSU provides master's programs in counseling psychology and management information systems. Professional nurses can earn a master of science in nursing to access advanced practice roles. Graduate candidates may also obtain doctoral credentials in computer science and educational leadership. First-year candidates need to submit ACT or SAT scores. To enroll as a transfer student, applicants need at least 24 college credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Prospective graduate students must display an undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.5.

Loyola University Maryland is based in Baltimore and features a student body of over 6,400 learners. The institution offers comprehensive academic programming grounded in the liberal arts, preparing graduates for professional service and leadership. Undergraduate majors include visual arts, global studies, data sciences, and applied mathematics. Students can also pursue a bachelor's degree in communication, which offers concentrations in digital media, journalism, and advertising/public relations. Loyola delivers a dual-degree teaching program that enables candidates to earn their bachelor's and master's in five years -- as well as initial state certification. Students who want to enroll in conventional graduate programs can choose from options like modern studies, spiritual and pastoral care, and speech-language pathology. The university also facilitates online master of education programs that follow a cohort learning format. First-year applicants submit the Common Application, two recommendations, official high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer candidates need a minimum 2.7 GPA. In addition to affordable tuition and financial aid resources, Loyola offers international exchange opportunities and dedicated career guidance.