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Top Colleges & Universites in Maryland
Despite being a relatively small state, Maryland is home to various geographical features. It has beaches, rivers, lakes, farmlands, mountains, and cities to name a few. It’s the reason why many refer to it as the America In Miniature.
Besides its natural landscapes, Maryland proves it is worthy of its nickname due to the many colleges and universities it houses. You can find different institutions for liberal arts, medical and research universities, as well as private colleges near Maryland. The United States Naval Academy, one of the country’s military academies, is found in Annapolis, Maryland’s capital.
The list of universities in Maryland is a long one. Apparently, there are numerous higher education institutions located in the small state. But what are the best schools in Maryland? Here are the top picks in 2021. Please note that the list contains the best universities in Maryland, but they are in random order.
Loyola University Maryland
One of the universities in Baltimore, the Loyola University of Maryland is a private, Roman Catholic university founded in 1852. With 5,700+ students, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Tuition is approximately $49,000/year. Three schools: Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business and Management. 30+ majors available. Honors Program admits 50 freshmen yearly. 60% of students study abroad. Ranked 5th in Regional Universities North and 12th in best undergraduate teaching programs.
University of Maryland College Park
Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland College Park is a public university with a 1,335-acre campus and 29,800+ students. Ranked 35th in the US and 126th globally. In-state tuition: $10,595; out-of-state: $35,216. Notable programs: Graduate education, Robert H. Smith School of Business, A. James Clark School of Engineering. Acceptance rate: 44%. Famous alumni: Dianne Weist, Richard Arnold, Connie Chung, Heidi Collins. Recognized for environmental advocacy and clean energy initiatives.
University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore, established in 1925, is a top public college in Maryland. It has 2,949 students and a 47-acre urban campus. Offering semestrial programs for undergraduates and graduates, it has an 81% acceptance rate. Tuition fees are affordable: in-state $9,090, out-of-state $21,208. Popular courses: Animation, Business, Criminal Justice, Health Services, Psychology, and more. Grad programs: Forensic Science, Nonprofit Management, Public Admin. 73% retention rate showcases student satisfaction.
St. John's College
St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, founded in 1696, is a small private institution. With less than 600 students on a 36-acre campus, it offers semestrial programs for undergrads and grads. Acceptance rate: 55%; early admissions: 67.4%. Cost is over $53,000, but scholarships cover most expenses. Faculty-to-student ratio is impressive at 1:7. Favored majors: Liberal Studies and Sciences. Ranks 61st in National Liberal Arts Colleges.
University of Maryland University College
The University of Maryland University College (UMUC), located in Adelphi, focuses on online education. It serves over 90,000 students worldwide and has satellite campuses in Baltimore-Washington, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It offers diverse degree programs, including IT, Business Management, Legal Studies, and Social Sciences. UMUC has a 100% acceptance rate for undergrads and provides support to veterans. In-state tuition is around $7,300, and out-of-state fees exceed $12,400.
University of Maryland Baltimore
The University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) is a top public college in Baltimore, MD, with 929 students. Founded in 1807, it houses renowned professional schools in Nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, and Social Work. The campus spans 61 acres. In-state cost: $11,000; out-of-state: $39,267. UMB’s nursing school, founded by Florence Nightingale, is one of the country’s oldest and ranked sixth nationally in 2015. Notable alumni include former governor Martin O’Malley, senators Charles Mathias, Jr., Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin, and baseball player Archibald “Moonlight” Graham.
Goucher College
Goucher College, in Towson, MD, is a private school founded in 1885 as Women’s College of Baltimore. It’s a big suburban campus of 287 acres with 2,200+ students. Acceptance rate: 79%. Tuition: $44,000. Faculty-to-student ratio: 1:10. Top degrees: Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, Psychology, Biological and Biomedical Studies, English Literature. Ranked 12th in Most Innovative Schools and 67th in High School Counselor List.
Community Colleges in Maryland
- Allegany College of Maryland. Cumberland
- Anne Arundel Community College. Arnold
- Baltimore City Community College. Baltimore
- Carroll Community College
- Cecil College
- Chesapeake College
- College of Southern Maryland
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Frederick Community College
- Garrett College
- Hagerstown Community College
- Harford Community College
- Howard Community College
- Montgomery College
- Prince George’s Community College
- Wor-Wic Community College
Before you decide
Official sources and verification
Maryland School Report Card
National Center for Education Statistics
