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Rankings / By State

Best Business Colleges in Maryland

By David Krug, Co-Founder, CollegeRanker Updated 2026-07-13 33 schools Agent Insights
33
Schools
$53,477
Avg. Earnings
45%
Avg. Graduation
$14,968
Avg. Net Price
$18,527
Avg. Debt

CollegeRanker Research

What Surprised Us Most

  1. Median graduate earnings across these 33 schools run from $35,823 to $82,860, a 2.3× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.

  2. Carroll Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $44,349 in median earnings against $2,725 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.

  3. Carroll Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,725 a year in net price.

  4. University of Maryland-College Park graduates 89% of its students, versus a 45% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.

  5. Frederick Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.18× their annual earnings.

Surprising Comparisons

The Takeaway

The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.

What This Means for Students

If you are choosing from this list, start with Carroll Community College and University of Maryland-College Park. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.

Why this ranking matters

Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $51K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.

How we measure this — full methodology →

How we rank · 4 pillars

Economic outcomes30%
Social mobility35%
Value (earnings vs. cost)20%
Academic quality15%

Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →

$99,410
Median pay · Management Analyst
BLS occupation data
10%
Projected job growth
BLS outlook
$51K
Median grad earnings
10 yrs after entry
$15K
Average net price
After grants/aid
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
33 institutions ranked
2026-07-13 Last updated
100% Public / federal sources

Source datasets

Methodology

Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.

See the full methodology and weights →

Confidence notes

  • Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
  • Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
  • Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.

Limitations

  • Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
  • Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
  • An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
  • Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.

At a Glance

How the Top Schools Compare

School Earnings Net Price Graduation Score
$82,652
▲ +55% vs avg
$30,574 80%
85
$64,072
▲ +20% vs avg
$22,655 62%
82
3
Washington College
#3 overall
$65,518
▲ +23% vs avg
$27,898 70%
75
$50,159
▼ -6% vs avg
$8,027 30%
75
$82,860
▲ +55% vs avg
$15,678 89%
75

Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.

See full ranking →

Executive Summary

Best Business Colleges in Maryland

This analysis ranks 33 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $53,477 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 45% and an average net price of $14,968.

Key takeaways

Research Note

110%
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Data from CollegeRanker’s review of 5,745 U.S. colleges (n=3,655). Mean net price and mean 10-year earnings by ownership type (College Scorecard).

Management Education Analysis

What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?

$50,698

Median earnings (10yr)

39%

Median graduation rate

$14,915

Median net price

1.8%

Avg. mobility rate

Business and MBA programs sell acceleration: faster paths into management, bigger networks, and a salary step-change. The return is famously dispersed, though. A handful of programs deliver enormous ROI through placement and alumni networks, while many barely clear the cost of attendance. Management education is less a single product than a wide spectrum of outcomes.

Across the 33 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $50,698 ten years after they first enrolled, about $2,698 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 39%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $14,915 a year, with about $21,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 32% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.8%.

What we’re seeing: value concentrates where networks and employer pipelines are strongest, and ROI varies more here than in almost any other field. Median earnings reach $50,698 ten years after enrollment, with Loyola University Maryland at the top of the list. The spread between the best programs and the median is the real story of an MBA.

The podium

Build your ranking

Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.

Academic 15%
Economic 30%
Social mobility 35%
Value 20%

Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.

Full rankings

1
·
Loyola University Maryland

Baltimore, MD · 75% accepted · $30,574 net

85

Why it ranks #1

Loyola University Maryland lands at #1 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $82,652 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
85
Economic
76
Social mobility
82
Value
42
View full profile →
2
·
Mount St. Mary's University

Emmitsburg, MD · 74% accepted · $22,655 net

82

Why it ranks #2

Mount St. Mary's University lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $64,072 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,655 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
76
Economic
70
Social mobility
83
Value
55
View full profile →
3
·
Washington College

Chestertown, MD · 57% accepted · $27,898 net

75

Why it ranks #3

Washington College lands at #3 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $65,518 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,898 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
75
Economic
68
Social mobility
83
Value
47
View full profile →
4
·
Montgomery College

Rockville, MD · $8,027 net

75

Why it ranks #4

Montgomery College lands at #4 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,159 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,027 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
53
Economic
69
Social mobility
81
Value
83
View full profile →
5
·
University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · 45% accepted · $15,678 net

75

Why it ranks #5

University of Maryland-College Park lands at #5 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $82,860 a decade after enrolling, 55% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,678 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
90
Economic
79
Social mobility
60
Value
76
View full profile →
6
·
Frederick Community College

Frederick, MD · $9,465 net

74

Why it ranks #6

Frederick Community College lands at #6 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $46,449 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,465 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
50
Economic
68
Social mobility
79
Value
83
View full profile →
7
·
Carroll Community College

Westminster, MD · $2,725 net

74

Why it ranks #7

Carroll Community College lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,349 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,725 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
53
Economic
66
Social mobility
80
Value
91
View full profile →
8
·
McDaniel College

Westminster, MD · 78% accepted · $21,916 net

73

Why it ranks #8

McDaniel College lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $60,663 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,916 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
61
Economic
67
Social mobility
84
Value
54
View full profile →
9
·
Stevenson University

Owings Mills, MD · 79% accepted · $26,505 net

73

Why it ranks #9

Stevenson University lands at #9 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $62,079 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,505 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
65
Economic
68
Social mobility
83
Value
45
View full profile →
10
·
Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, MD · $14,915 net

73

Why it ranks #10

Anne Arundel Community College lands at #10 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,219 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,915 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
48
Economic
68
Social mobility
79
Value
75
View full profile →
11
·
Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, MD · $6,835 net

73

Why it ranks #11

Hagerstown Community College lands at #11 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,615 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,835 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
50
Economic
64
Social mobility
77
Value
83
View full profile →
12
·
Harford Community College

Bel Air, MD · $9,234 net

72

Why it ranks #12

Harford Community College lands at #12 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,608 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,234 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
51
Economic
66
Social mobility
79
Value
82
View full profile →
13
·
Towson University

Towson, MD · 82% accepted · $17,413 net

72

Why it ranks #13

Towson University lands at #13 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (64/100). Graduates earn a median $64,390 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,413 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
73
Economic
72
Social mobility
64
Value
67
View full profile →
14
·
Howard Community College

Columbia, MD · $11,133 net

71

Why it ranks #14

Howard Community College lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $49,020 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,133 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
49
Economic
68
Social mobility
82
Value
79
View full profile →
15
·
Cecil College

North East, MD · $9,658 net

71

Why it ranks #15

Cecil College lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,952 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,658 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
44
Economic
66
Social mobility
80
Value
81
View full profile →
16
·
Prince George's Community College

Largo, MD · $8,672 net

71

Why it ranks #16

Prince George's Community College lands at #16 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $47,548 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,672 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
45
Economic
67
Social mobility
80
Value
81
View full profile →
17
·
Hood College

Frederick, MD · 78% accepted · $20,873 net

71

Why it ranks #17

Hood College lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $57,089 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,873 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
61
Economic
66
Social mobility
84
Value
52
View full profile →
18
·
University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD · 79% accepted · $13,868 net

71

Why it ranks #18

University of Baltimore lands at #18 with a 71/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,335 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,868 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
57
Economic
69
Social mobility
59
Value
64
View full profile →
19
·
Garrett College

McHenry, MD · $9,228 net

71

Why it ranks #19

Garrett College lands at #19 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $35,823 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,228 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
55
Economic
61
Social mobility
78
Value
77
View full profile →
20
·
Goucher College

Baltimore, MD · 78% accepted · $22,470 net

70

Why it ranks #20

Goucher College lands at #20 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $53,023 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,470 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
68
Economic
62
Social mobility
86
Value
52
View full profile →
21
·
Washington Adventist University

Takoma Park, MD · 46% accepted · $18,526 net

70

Why it ranks #21

Washington Adventist University lands at #21 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $64,249 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,526 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
50
Economic
65
Social mobility
83
Value
52
View full profile →
22
·
Allegany College of Maryland

Cumberland, MD · $8,819 net

70

Why it ranks #22

Allegany College of Maryland lands at #22 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $38,476 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,819 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
57
Economic
61
Social mobility
78
Value
75
View full profile →
23
·
Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD · 87% accepted · $17,743 net

69

Why it ranks #23

Salisbury University lands at #23 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,515 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,743 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
70
Economic
70
Social mobility
57
Value
66
View full profile →
24
·
Community College of Baltimore County

Baltimore, MD · $9,844 net

67

Why it ranks #24

Community College of Baltimore County lands at #24 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $43,729 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,844 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
42
Economic
65
Social mobility
78
Value
79
View full profile →
25
·
Wor-Wic Community College

Salisbury, MD · $9,360 net

67

Why it ranks #25

Wor-Wic Community College lands at #25 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $36,748 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,360 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
51
Economic
63
Social mobility
76
Value
80
View full profile →
26
·
St. Mary's College of Maryland

St. Mary's City, MD · 69% accepted · $18,441 net

66

Why it ranks #26

St. Mary's College of Maryland lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (62/100). Graduates earn a median $60,110 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,441 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
73
Economic
69
Social mobility
62
Value
68
View full profile →
27
·
Morgan State University

Baltimore, MD · 82% accepted · $14,985 net

66

Why it ranks #27

Morgan State University lands at #27 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $50,698 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,985 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
56
Economic
60
Social mobility
62
Value
57
View full profile →
28
·
University of Maryland Global Campus

Adelphi, MD · $22,063 net

64

Why it ranks #28

University of Maryland Global Campus lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $65,287 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,063 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
42
Economic
71
Social mobility
Value
56
View full profile →
29
·
Bowie State University

Bowie, MD · 72% accepted · $19,298 net

64

Why it ranks #29

Bowie State University lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,537 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,298 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
49
Economic
64
Social mobility
64
Value
55
View full profile →
30
·
Frostburg State University

Frostburg, MD · 89% accepted · $16,715 net

64

Why it ranks #30

Frostburg State University lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (66/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $55,493 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,715 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
64
Economic
66
Social mobility
60
Value
63
View full profile →
31
·
Coppin State University

Baltimore, MD · 46% accepted · $9,977 net

62

Why it ranks #31

Coppin State University lands at #31 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $46,490 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,977 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
45
Economic
59
Social mobility
60
Value
68
View full profile →
32
·
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Princess Anne, MD · 96% accepted · $13,338 net

61

Why it ranks #32

University of Maryland Eastern Shore lands at #32 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $47,697 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,338 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
53
Economic
58
Social mobility
62
Value
60
View full profile →
33
·
Chesapeake College

Wye Mills, MD · $5,106 net

56

Why it ranks #33

Chesapeake College lands at #33 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $36,301 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,106 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.

Pillar breakdown

Academic
45
Economic
29
Social mobility
74
Value
91
View full profile →
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Cut it by what you care about

The same 33 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.

Where the programs — and the jobs are

Where these graduates work

Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.

See the Management Analyst career guide →

Maryland is home to a variety of business colleges, each offering unique programs and opportunities for students. These schools share a commitment to preparing graduates for the workforce, which is crucial as we consider the importance of education in today's economy.

What sets the top business colleges apart from others are their outcomes. Factors like post-graduation earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall mobility signal the effectiveness of their programs. The list below highlights schools that excel in these areas, helping students and families make informed decisions based on meaningful data.

For instance, the University of Maryland-College Park stands out with impressive earnings of $82,860 and a graduation rate of 89%. In contrast, Mount St. Mary's University has lower earnings at $64,072 and a graduation rate of 62%. This difference illustrates the trade-offs students might face when choosing a school that aligns with their goals and circumstances.

The story behind the ranking

A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.

Earnings Outcomes

What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.

Distribution of Median Earnings

$13K 15 $38K 16 $63K 2 $88K $113K $138K 16 National Avg

Earnings vs. Net Price

Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.

$10K$65K$120K $25K$50K NET PRICE (lower →) EARNINGS (higher ↑) Loyola University Mount St. Washington College Montgomery College University of

Completion & Access

Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.

Graduation Rates

Loyola University Ma… 80% Mount St. Mary's Uni… 62% Washington College 70% Montgomery College 30% University of Maryla… 89% Frederick Community … 36% Carroll Community Co… 43% McDaniel College 64% Stevenson University 67% Anne Arundel Communi… 28% Hagerstown Community… 38% Harford Community Co… 39% Towson University 69% Howard Community Col… 25% Cecil College 32% Prince George's Comm… 22% Hood College 56% University of Baltim… 43% Garrett College 33% Goucher College 59% Washington Adventist… 33% Allegany College of … 42% Salisbury University 68% Community College of… 17% Wor-Wic Community Co… 27%

Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate

Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.

0% 100% PELL GRANT RATE → GRAD RATE ↑ Loyola University Mount St. Washington College Montgomery College University of
Social Mobility

What the Mobility Data Says

Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 22 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.8%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Mount St. Mary's University leads the group at 6.4%, with Montgomery College (3%) and Hood College (2.8%) close behind.

Access varies widely. On average, 9.5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Mount St. Mary's University enrolls the most, at 21.2%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.

For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 22.1% across the list, peaking at 43.5% at Hood College.

These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Loyola University Maryland is highest at 1.86.

Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.

Cost & Debt

What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.

Median Debt at Graduation

12 $6K 9 $18K 11 $30K $42K $54K 12 National Avg

Comparing schools reveals important trends in business education. The University of Maryland-College Park boasts a graduation rate of 89% and average earnings of $82,860, outperforming Loyola University Maryland, where graduates earn $82,652 with a graduation rate of 80%. This slight difference in earnings could influence long-term financial stability.

As you navigate your options, consider your priorities. Assess how location, program fit, and financial commitments align with your goals. For example, while the University of Maryland offers strong outcomes, its higher net price may be a factor worth evaluating against your budget and career aspirations.

Ultimately, the data reflects the journey from education to livelihood. Families must weigh the significance of these numbers against their circumstances. Choosing the right school can set the stage for a stable life, making it essential to consider both outcomes and personal values in this decision.

Data Sources

U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard

Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card

Social Capital Atlas

Times Higher Education World Rankings

NCES IPEDS

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Business Colleges in Maryland: Your Questions, Answered

What is the #1 school in the Best Business Colleges in Maryland ranking? +

Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, MD ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Business Colleges in Maryland ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $82,652 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 80% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.

Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +

University of Maryland-College Park posts the highest median earnings on this list: $82,860 ten years after enrollment, well above the $53,477 average across the 33 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.

Which school offers the best value? +

On a pure return-on-cost basis, Carroll Community College leads: graduates earn a median $44,349 against net price of about $2,725 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.

Which school has the highest graduation rate? +

University of Maryland-College Park has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 89%, compared with a 45% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.

How much does it cost to attend these schools? +

The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,968 a year across the 33 ranked schools with cost data. Carroll Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,725. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.

How is the Best Business Colleges in Maryland ranking calculated? +

We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.

How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +

This ranking evaluates 33 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.

Sources & Citations

[1]

U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.

[2]

National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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